Emotional Sedro-Woolley restaurant owner says it was misunderstanding, police are welcome



SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. -- The owner of the Lucky Teriyaki restaurant in Sedro-Woolley broke down in tears Thursday night and said cops are welcome at his restaurant - and can come in for free meals on Monday -- after a public backlash to a report by the Skagit County sheriff that said the man told deputies law enforcement officers were no longer welcome at his establishment.

The man's son said it had all been a misunderstanding, and apologized for the incident.

The incident came to light on Thursday when Skagit County Sheriff Will Reichardt posted a message on his Facebook page that he was left "speechless" after learning that the owner of the teriyaki restaurant asked his deputies not to return to eat there because "other customers didn't like law enforcement there."

Reichardt said his chief deputy spoke to the owner of Lucky Teriyaki in Sedo-Woolley later to confirm what he had heard.

"The owner not only repeated the request but asked that we spread the word to other law enforcement that they were no longer welcome either."