JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two gunmen followed a McDonald's employee through a Southside McDonald's drive-through window early Monday morning during a robbery of the restaurant, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office report.
The report says the robbers entered the McDonald's at 8900 Baymeadows Road about 3:15 a.m., forced all three employees into the office where the safe was located, then ordered them into the break room and stole their cellphones before leaving through the back door.
According to the report, the robbers fled in a maroon or red Chevrolet Caprice after getting away with $200.
Police say no one was injured during the robbery.
The fast-food restaurant was closed for several hours while police interviewed the employees and gathered evidence from the scene.
"I came here for a small cup of free coffee and to my surprise saw ropes and police cars," said Sybil Wilkes. "They're very, very nice here. It was early in the morning, so just surprised. But again, we just thank God no one was killed."
Another customer said he understands why that McDonald's may have been a target.
"Well, being so close to the interstate, it just makes it a little easier target. Pull in, rob them, make out to the interstate and be gone. Before it's all said and done, they're gone," said Ralph Smith. "I'm sure they were a little scared this morning -- first thing off the bat. That's not what you're thinking about when you're going to work, that you might get robbed."
The robbery brings to mind a couple other cases at fast-food restaurants in the area, one at that same McDonald's.
In March 2010, a bank robbery suspect was shot and killed by police while trying to carjack a woman sitting in her car at a Wendy's drive-through. The woman and her 2-year-old son were wounded by police gunfire.
A month before that, a McDonald's employee was shot and killed while walking out of that restaurant with his manager. That employee, a father of five, was trying to keep his boss from being robbed when he was shot.
News4Jax crime analyst Gil Smith said employees are trained to deal with situations like this. He said there are reasons why people would rob a fast-food restaurant.
"Simple location right here, right by the street, and they come out into traffic and blend in once the robbery is done," Smith said.
Other crimes have happened in the Baymeadows area recently. Earlier this month, there was a shooting at Pure Night Club. Also, a man was arrested and charged with murder in connection with a killing at an Extended Stay Hotel.
And this year, there have been 119 burglaries, 19 robberies and 29 vehicle thefts in the Baymeadows area.
"So it's hard to tell who belongs here or not," Smith said. "For one thing, this is a very transient area. There are over 20 apartment complexes just in the Baymeadows area, so people come and go. They may not feel quite as invested in the area."
In Monday's robbery, one man is described as wearing a dark shirt and black cargo pants. The other wore a blue sweatshirt, according to police.
Anyone with any information about Monday's robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.