22-year McDonald’s employee hunts down stolen ring

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla.- A decorated McDonald’s worker goes to great lengths to track down his stolen ring.

“I have been at McDonald’s for like 22 years,” said 61-year old Ralph Castellano.

Castellano suffers from brain damage and has worked at a North Fort Myers McDonald’s for more than two decades.

“I just like McDonald’s a lot,” said Castellano.

In 2014, the chain presented Castellano with a very rare 14 karat gold McDonald’s ring. It even has a diamond on it and Castellano wears it every day. But last week, it was stolen and deputies say the thief is 38-year-old Richard Blevins.

“Really upset and hurt,” said Castellano.

Deputies tell WINK News, Blevins, a frequent customer of this McDonald’s was looking at Castellano’s gold ring.

Castellano says he took it off his finger to give Blevins a better look, but that’s when deputies say Blevins ran off, taking the ring with him.

Castellano started visiting nearby pawn shops to warn pawn clerks about his stolen ring. Sure enough, just hours later, deputies say Blevins walked in to KC Pawn in North Fort Myers and sold the ring for $220.

Deputies were quickly tipped off and got the ring from the pawn shop.

“I am pleased that he is going to get it back. That is the main thing,” said Castellano’s stepfather.

The owner of the restaurant sent a statement to WINK News saying “I’m extremely relieved that Ralph recovered his ring. I, along with the rest of my organization, am grateful for his 20 years of service to the McDonald’s brand.”

Blevins now faces numerous charges including exploitation and fraud.