Nye County Man Arrested at Jack in the Box for Concealed Firearm

On Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at approximately 2 p.m., two Nye County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Jack in the Box on Highway 160 after a report that a drive-thru customer may have threatened an employee with a firearm. While en route, dispatch advised officers that two male suspects were parked in a vehicle in front of the restaurant. Deputies contacted the occupants and had them step out after the reporting party identified the car.

During a pat-down of the man who had been sitting in the passenger seat, an officer noticed an outline consistent with a handgun in his right pant leg. A SIG Sauer firearm was recovered from the suspect’s pant leg. The suspect was arrested and booked on one count of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.

According to the arrest report, the suspect initially told deputies he did not have any weapons. He later told officers that he had recognized a friend working at the restaurant and asked if the employee wanted to smoke during his lunch break. The suspect said he did not show the gun to the employee because it was hidden in his waistband and that he did not know how the employee saw the weapon. The employee, who said he knew the suspect through a mutual friend, told officers the suspect had told him to take his break because he "had something" for him and had been holding his waist when the employee realized the man had a gun. The employee said the suspect did not draw the weapon or make threats. A co-worker asked the suspect to pull into the parking lot because their food was not ready, and that co-worker then contacted law enforcement.

The incident underlines immediate safety concerns for restaurant employees and other public-facing workers in Nye County. Encounters involving firearms, even when no threats or violence occur, can cause acute stress and longer-term mental health effects for workers who are often in low-wage positions with limited workplace protections. Local employers and public health officials should consider reinforcing staff safety training, clear reporting procedures, and access to mental health resources for employees exposed to threatening incidents.

From a policy perspective, the arrest raises questions about concealed-carry enforcement and how permit requirements intersect with workplace safety. Community leaders and policymakers may need to reassess how local ordinances, employer policies, and public health interventions work together to reduce risk for workers and the public, especially for populations that experience disproportionate exposure to public safety hazards.

The Nye County Sheriff’s Office handled the arrest and the suspect faces criminal charges. Residents who witness similar incidents are encouraged to report them to local law enforcement so authorities can respond and preserve safety for workers and patrons.