In a startling turn of events at a Shake Shack in Arizona, one of its own employees stands accused of staging an audacious armed robbery. Authorities allege he locked two colleagues inside a walk-in cooler and then, astonishingly, resumed his duties at the restaurant just 48 hours later, still donning his work uniform.
Keondre Simmons, 33, allegedly called out of work at the Shake Shack at Kierland Commons in Phoenix around midnight on Aug. 3 before showing up at the restaurant later that morning to commit the robbery, according to court documents reviewed by FOX 10 Phoenix.
When investigators delved into the armed heist, they discovered it all began when an employee, responding to the familiar sound of a bell, opened the rear delivery door under the impression that a planned drop-off had arrived.
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According to court filings, Keondre Simmons, 33, is the individual accused of carrying out this brazen crime at the Shake Shack he was employed. Sources say he allegedly returned to the crime scene, unfazed, wearing the same uniform two days post-incident. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office; iStock)
Court documents reveal, “The employee heard the delivery bell and opened the door, mistaking it as a signal for the arrival of a scheduled delivery.”
“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.”
Police said the suspect then forced the on-duty manager into the office and ordered 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 wrote. “The suspect subsequently forced [the on-duty manager] into the walk-in cooler with [the employee], and successfully locked the door.”
New York City, USA – April 15, 2013: Customers dine at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. The chain diner opened in 2004 and the Madison Square Park location is the original. ( )
Investigators said both victims eventually managed to escape the cooler, but the suspect returned moments later, escorted them to the office and ordered them to kneel 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 later identified Simmons as the suspect, according to the court documents.
Two days after the robbery, Simmons allegedly returned to the Shake Shack wearing his work uniform, where police arrested him.
A Shake Shack employee allegedly stole approximately $2,800 from the restaurant at Kierland Commons in Phoenix after holding two co-workers at gunpoint, according to court documents. (iStock)
Simmons later told investigators that he “discarded the clothing worn during the incident, and a firearm is inside his residence,” according to court documents.
Simmons faces charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault and kidnapping.
He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 25.