Pizza Hut App Saves Hostage and Children

Emergent uses of technology spring up all the time but rarely in a way that is life-saving, such was the case for Florida woman named Cheryl Treadway.

According to a press release from the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, May 4th, Treadway was being held against her will by her boyfriend, Ethan Earl Nickerson, in their home following arguments that had lasted throughout the day. Nickerson, armed with a knife, had forcibly taken Treadway’s cell phone prior to accompanying her to pick up the three children from school. When they returned to the residence Treadway managed to convince the man to allow her to use her cell phone to order a pizza and with the order she left comments reading, “Please help. Get 911 to me” and “911hostage help!”. Nickerson took the cell phone back shortly after but, with the order placed, employees at the restaurant quickly responded and the Sheriff’s Office was sent to investigate.

Nickerson was arrested and given an array of charges, all thanks to the quick thinking of Cheryl Treadway and the restaurant’s mobile app.  According to WFLA.com’s article covering the story, the parties involved seemed just as impressed as I am:

“We’ve never seen that before, I’ve been here 28 years and never, never seen nothing like that come through.” – Candy Hamilton, restaurant manager

Lieutenant Curtis Ludden was one of the first responders to the hazardous situation and seemed to echo the sentiment.

“I don’t know if I ever would have thought of it. I mean it’s just something that she did so naturally. The boyfriend never knew about it until he saw us coming around the corner,” Lieutenant Curtis Ludden, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office

I personally don’t think I would have been as clever as Cheryl Treadway. Have you ever used a mobile app to get out of a dire situation? Tell us in the comments below.