Police believe an armed robbery that occurred at a Tempe McDonald’s early Monday morning is connected to a string of robberies that have taken place at fast food establishments since at least mid-September.
A male robber fired shots into the ceiling of a McDonald’s near Priest Drive and Baseline Road Monday before fleeing with cash, according to police.
The robber is one of three men police suspect are working together to steal from different food establishments in Tempe and Phoenix. Six robberies have occurred since Sept. 15 at Subway and McDonald’s restaurants.
One robbery took place on Oct. 7 at a Subway near Broadway Road and Hardy Drive, about four miles from the Tempe campus.
According to a Tempe Police press release, one or more of the suspected robbers will arrive at an establishment around opening or closing time and use firearms to direct people to the back of the store. No person has been seriously injured, police report.
The suspect in Monday's robbery left the scene in a white van, according to police. The incident occurred at about 6 a.m.
Police describe Monday’s robber as a black male with a heavy muscular build, between 5-foot-11-inches and 6-feet tall with no facial hair. He was wearing black shoes, a dark sweatshirt with a hood, and white basketball shorts with red and black stripes.
Another suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his early 20s with a skinny build, side burns and tattoos on his neck, left shin, right hand and both ears.
The last of the three men is described as a male Filipino or Pacific Islander, 5-foot-8-inches tall, with long bushy hair. He was seen with a red backpack.
Police encourage anyone with information to call the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
Reach the reporter at kjdaly@asu.edu
