ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – An armed robber entered the McDonald's restaurant on County Road 210 just west of St. Johns Parkway Sunday night and demanded cash from the manager, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
Surveillance images show the robber completely covered in black, with only a small portion of his face and eye area exposed. The robber was carrying a black handgun.
Deputies said the robber entered about 11 p.m., forced the manager into the office area, retrieved cash and left through the back door, where he had also entered. The gunman was last seen running behind the Everybody Fitness building. A K-9 unit tracked the suspect but stopped a short distance later, likely losing the scent when the robber entered a car.
D.J. Weakley, whose gym is near the McDonald's, was surprised to hear of such a brazen crime in the area.
"Most of the crime we get the area (is) people checking on cars, pulling the handles. They might take stuff out of your car but they never break the window or anything like that," Weakley said. "Never heard of any violent crimes around here. That there was a robbery, an armed robbery (is) extremely surprising."
Customer Cheryl Peck said she visits the McDonald's all the time and most of the clientele are families with young children
"Not too much. It’s just the world we live in nothing surprises me anymore," Peck said.
Some customers said they will continue to come to this McDonald's, but they'll stick to the drive-thru in the future.
Detectives ask anyone who may have been in the area and observed anything related to this incident, including vehicles or persons who were loitering in the area, to contact the Sheriff's Office (904-824-8304) or Crime Stoppers (888-277-TIPS), which allows callers to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward.
Armed Robbery Suspect: See above post for details.
Posted by St. Johns County Sheriff's Office on Monday, November 12, 2018