The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Two restaurant employees were allegedly held at gunpoint during a robbery at a Shake Shack in Arizona after a masked man forced his way inside and locked them in a walk-in cooler.
The incident happened after an employee heard a delivery bell and opened a door, believing a scheduled delivery had arrived. Instead, a masked gunman allegedly pointed a firearm at the worker and forced him into the cooler. Authorities said the suspect secured the door with a latch that employees knew how to use.
The robber then located the manager and demanded access to the restaurant’s safe. About $2,800 was taken before the manager was also forced into the cooler with the other employee.
The workers were able to get out by using an emergency release inside the cooler. Their ordeal allegedly continued, however, when the gunman confronted them again and took them to an office. He reportedly ordered both employees to kneel and destroyed their cellphones and the office telephone before leaving the restaurant.
Investigators later learned the suspect appeared to have extensive familiarity with the business. The employees told authorities that his build, hairline, voice, and mannerisms resembled those of a coworker. They also said the gunman seemed to know the restaurant’s layout and where equipment was kept.
Security personnel at the shopping center also reported seeing a masked man enter and leave the restaurant around the time of the robbery.
Authorities arrested the 33-year-old employee on Aug. 5, two days after the robbery, when he returned to the restaurant for his next scheduled shift. He was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, and kidnapping and remained held in Maricopa County on a $100,000 bond.
According to court documents, the employee had called out sick shortly before the robbery, then allegedly returned to the restaurant hours later as the masked gunman.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.