A Shake Shack employee in Arizona has been charged in connection with allegedly robbing his own restaurant at gunpoint, confining two co-workers in a walk-in cooler, and then reporting for duty in his uniform just two days later.
Keondre Simmons, 33, reportedly contacted his workplace at the Shake Shack within Kierland Commons in Phoenix to call out of his shift around midnight on August 3. He then allegedly appeared at the restaurant later that morning to carry out the robbery, according to court documents reviewed by local media.
Allegations of an Inside Job
Law enforcement officials investigating the armed robbery learned that an employee opened a rear delivery door after hearing a bell, believing a scheduled delivery had arrived.
"[The employee] opened the door after hearing the delivery bell, believing a scheduled delivery had arrived," court documents stated. "When the door opened, the suspect pointed a firearm at [the employee], ordered him inside, and escorted him at gunpoint toward the walk-in cooler. The suspect forced [the employee] inside and locked the cooler door."
Authorities stated that the suspect then compelled the on-duty manager to enter the office and commanded him to open the store's safe.
"[The on-duty manager] unlocked the safe and, under threat of firearm, removed approximately $2,800 in mixed denominations and placed it into a black gun case-style container the suspect carried," police records indicated. "The suspect subsequently forced [the on-duty manager] into the walk-in cooler with [the employee], and successfully locked the door."
Robbery and Subsequent Actions
Investigators noted that both victims eventually managed to escape the cooler. However, the suspect reportedly reappeared moments later, guided them to the office, and ordered them to kneel while holding them at gunpoint.
"The suspect took both victims' cellphones and the office landline, then destroyed them by throwing them into a sink filled with water. The suspect then exited the business through the rear delivery door," police wrote.
Investigators subsequently identified Simmons as the individual involved, according to the court documents.
Investigation and Arrest
Two days after the alleged robbery, Simmons reportedly returned to the Shake Shack wearing his work uniform. It was there that law enforcement officers apprehended him.
Simmons later informed investigators that he had "discarded the clothing worn during the incident, and a firearm is inside his residence," as per court documents.
Simmons is facing charges that include armed robbery, aggravated assault, and kidnapping. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 25.