Two men were arrested after police officers responded to a suspicious persons report around 4:45 a.m Tuesday morning. The Cedar Rapids police entered the closed Taco Bell restaurant and found evidence of a meth lab in a utility area.

    

Two men, Christpher Matous and Kent Duby were arrested and charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.  Matous also faces additional charges including possession. 
 

A Taco Bell representative said that one of the men (who was an employee) has been fired, and Taco Bell is considering pressing criminal charges. He also stated that the restaurant was thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before it reopened on Wednesday morning.  (Quote from Taco Bell's website)

"We understand that two people, one an employee, entered our franchisee’s restaurant illegally, allegedly possessing suspicious items. Both we and our franchisee find this completely unacceptable. Our franchisee has been cooperating with Cedar Rapids Police to investigate this isolated incident. Although the suspicious items found in the restaurant were not used in the kitchen, the employee has been terminated and our franchisee is considering pressing criminal charges. The restaurant will reopen after it has been sanitized and inspected by the Health Department."

In unrelated news, Taco Bell announced their new line of "Energy Foods" will be added to the menu some time this fall.