A Shake Shack employee in Phoenix allegedly orchestrated an armed robbery of his own restaurant, then returned to work in uniform 48 hours later, according to court documents obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Keondre Simmons, 33, called out of his shift at the Shake Shack location in Kierland Commons around midnight on Aug. 3. Hours later, he allegedly returned to the restaurant armed.
When an employee heard the delivery bell at the rear entrance that morning, they opened the door expecting merchandise. Instead, court records state, they were confronted with a firearm. The suspect forced the employee inside at gunpoint, marched them toward the walk-in cooler and locked them in.
The suspect then confronted a manager, forcing them into the office and demanding access to the safe. Under threat of the weapon, the manager extracted approximately $2,800 in mixed denominations and placed it into a black gun case-style container the robber had brought. The manager was then locked in the walk-in cooler with the other employee.
The suspect returned moments later, herding both victims back to the office and forcing them to kneel at gunpoint. He then destroyed their means of calling for help by placing cellphones and the office landline into a sink filled with water before leaving.
Police identified Simmons as the suspect and issued a warrant. Two days after the robbery, Simmons allegedly appeared at the restaurant wearing his Shake Shack uniform. Police arrested him on the spot.
When questioned, Simmons told investigators he had discarded the clothing worn during the robbery and that a firearm could be found in his residence.
Simmons now faces charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault and kidnapping. He was scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 25.
