MASCOTS IN THE NEWS: Suzie Pancake Flattened

Bellingham, Wash. 8/3/10:  IHOP's mascot Suzie Pancake was assaulted by a bystander at about 3 p.m. Tuesday outside of a Bellingham, Wash., restaurant, police say. A 19-year old woman dressed in her pancake suit was outside the IHOP, waving at Passers-by when 22-year old James Manas approached her and began yelling at her and hitting the suit with his hand, Bellingham Police spokesman Mark Young said. A passer-by stopped Manas as he tried to hit her again; Manas then walked to a nearby bus stop, said Young. The woman went inside the restaurant, where the manager called Bellingham police, Young said. Officers found Manas at New Peking restaurant. Manas was cited for disorderly conduct, Young said. Manas told police he had only been joking and that he did not hit the pancake., Young said. The woman was not injured, but was sent home from work early due to distress, Young said.