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The puzzle pieces are beginning to fall into place, and t he truth is being exposed," Police Chief Rob Davis said. The discovery of the finger's owner marks a significant break in a case t hat has confounded authorities for nearly two months, ever since Anna Ay ala claimed she bit down on the well-manicured, 1 1/2-inch finger in a m outhful of her steamy chili. The case became the talk of the Internet and late-night talk shows and sp awned numerous bizarre tips and theories about the source of the finger, including one about a woman whose fingertip was bitten off by a spotted leopard kept as a pet. Authorities said last month that they believed the story was a hoax, and they arrested the 39-year-old Ayala at her home in Las Vegas and charged her with attempted grand larceny for allegedly trying to shake down Wen dy's. The owner was traced through a tip made to a Wendy's hot line, Davis said . He said the man lost the finger in December, and authorities "positive ly confirmed that this subject was in fact the source of the fingertip." The nature of the industrial accident was not disclosed. Davis said the Nevada man, whose name was not released, is cooperating. T he police chief would not say if the man was in on the alleged hoax. Police believe the man gave the finger fragment to Ayala's husband, Jaime Plascencia, who was arrested this month on identity-theft charges unrel ated to the Wendy's case. During the investigation, Wendy's said no employees at the San Jose store had missing fingers, and no suppliers of Wendy's ingredients had report ed any finger injuries. Authorities reported that there was no evidence the finger had been cooked, and also said Ayala had a history of filing claims against businesses. Nick Muyo said someone other than the man who lost the finger called in the tip to the hot line. Calls to an attorney for Ayala and Plascencia were not immediately return ed. Wendy's did not immediately return a call to its Dublin, Ohio, headq uarters. Authorities are considering additional charges against Ayala and her husb and, Davis said. "We are exploring all other options and avenues availab le to see that those involved in this charade will be investigated," the police chief said. Wendy's has offered a $100,000 reward and has said it has lost millions i n sales since Ayala made the claim while visiting her family in San Jose . Dozens of employees at the company's Northern California franchises al so have been laid off. Company spokesman Bob Bertini sa id officials need to talk with police to determine who should receive it . In a statement, the company praised San Jose police and said the latest e vidence vindicates its employees. "We strongly defended our brand and paid a severe price," said Tom Muelle r, Wendy's president of North America. "We are extremely proud of our em ployees and franchisees who have suffered the most, and we are forever g rateful to our many customers who have supported us during this difficul t time."
These photos released by the Las Vegas Metro Police Department show J amie Plascencia, left, and his wife Anna Ayala, right. On Friday, May 13 , 2005, San Jose police announced that the finger that Ayala claimed she found in a bowl of Wendy's chili came from an acquaintance of her husba nd who lost it in an industrial accident in December.
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