Sushi lovers got an unexpected reptilian surprise at a Studio City sushi restaurant when a man brought in his two snakes -- one of which was a 13-foot python, which eventually had to be pried out from behind a computer by firefighters.
Customers began complaining on Sunday night when Hiroshi Motohashi, 46, started showing off his small snake at Iroha Sushi of Tokyo in Studio City. After employees asked him to take the reptile outside, Motohashi returned with an even bigger snake, authorities said.
"I wasn't scared," said Sissi Dashtort, a waitress.
When Motohashi wouldn't take his pet outside, employees decided it was time to call in for backup. By the time the fire department arrived, the python had gotten itself stuck behind one of the computers.
One diner was able to capture a video of the officers attempting to wrangle the python out of its hiding spot. By 7:20 p.m., police had arrested Motohashi on suspicion of making criminal threats, a felony.
Motohashi's bail is set at $50,000, and an arraignment date has not been scheduled, officials said.
It was not immediately clear if Motohashi had a lawyer.
Animal control officials took the python away.
