Cleveland kidnapping hero flatly rejects free burgers

A love for the Big Mac and quick actions to help rescue three kidnapping victims and a child from a Cleveland home gained Charles Ramsey a place in the national spotlight earlier this month.

But the 43-year-old straight-talker credited with helping rescue Amanda Berry, her daughter, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight on May 6 doesn’t want a free meal and in no uncertain words has told restaurants to hold the lettuce, tomato and nonsense.

Through his attorney, Ramsey said he wants help for the women allegedly held captive by Ariel Castro and no undue publicity, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

"I want everyone to know that I have nothing to do with this trash," Ramsey said in a written statement released by attorney Patricia Walker. His comments were in response to a burger named in his honor and an offer for free burgers for life.

Police say Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight had been held captive in the Castro's house for at least nine years.

The trio disappeared separately.

Ramsey and his neighbor Angel Cordero helped kidnapping victim Berry and her young daughter. The other two young women were freed soon after.

Walker told the PD Ramsey was disgusted by an online video game that depicts him and Ariel Castro in a hamburger food fight.

The dishwasher’s employer, Cleveland’s Hodges, released the Ramsey Burger, an an 8-ounce Angus Beef burger with a secret sauce.

The restaurant has removed the burger from its menu, the Plain Dealer reports.

“The Ramsey burger was named to honor an employee at a time he indicated he would be returning to his job at Hodge’s. It was not developed to generate additional revenue for the restaurant — nor has it,” the business said in a statement. “We are saddened to hear that Chuck did not take this — or the offer of so many Cleveland restaurants to give him free meals — in the spirit we intended.”

What do you think about Ramsey turning down the burgers?

Contact this columnist at arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com or Twitter.com/DDNSmartMouth

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