Security guards are on the front lines at Disney World, dealing with angry visitors and tense situations. In a twist, however, one Disney Springs security said he was pushed by someone who was another security guard, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report.
Security Guard Scuffle at Disney Springs
Toni Cruz, 56, of Lake Alfred, was on arrested September 5 and has been charged with battery on a uniformed security officer. She has pleaded not guilty, according to court records.
Cruz’s attorney, Mallory Lizana, denied the allegations in the arrest report.
The arrest report says Cruz worked at Global Security Services, a third-party vendor that AMC contracts to provide security at the Disney Springs movie theater.
Lizana said Cruz is a Disney employee although she previously had worked for a third-party company.
“The alleged charges are currently under review, and Ms. Cruz has not formally been charged or convicted of any crime,” Lizana said in a statement. “Disney has concluded its internal investigation, and it was determined that Ms. Cruz did not engage in any wrongdoing or violate any policies. She has been reinstated to employment with Disney in their investigations department and provided with back pay.”
The incident happened after Cruz wore a black jacket that said “security” as she entered the screening area in the Orange parking garage at Disney Springs.
Disney doesn’t allow guests to wear clothes that identify them as security officers, so the Disney security guard followed up to ask if Cruz works on property.
“Yes,” Cruz said, but she kept walking past the screening area and refused to show her ID when the security guard asked to see it, according to the arrest report.
This time, Cruz pushed him “forcefully” in the chest with both hands to get him out of the way, the arrest report said.
The security guard wasn’t hurt but wanted to pursue criminal charges.
Another security guard witnessed the incident and said Cruz shoved the guard when he stepped in front of her to ask for her ID, the arrest report said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office intervened and determined that Cruz was actually a security officer herself.
Cruz received a trespass warning from Disney and was transported to Orange County Jail, the arrest report said.
WDWNT has reported on plenty of stories about Disney security guards being physically and verbally abused by visitors over the years from the woman asked if a guard wanted to see her bra to a guest high on LSD who tackled a guard at Animal Kingdom.
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