Loxley McDonald's robbery caught on tape

LOXLEY, Ala. (WALA) - Police said employees at McDonald's in Loxley were outside on a break when they were approached by a man with a gun.

Lt. Doug Phillips said the robbery started around 1:17 a.m. The police have surveillance video of the incident, but are still working to identify the suspect.

"He basically told them that he just wanted the money, he didn't want to hurt anybody, and give him the money out of the safe.  He went directly to the safe and the employees directed him in," he said.

The workers led he robber inside to the area where the safe is kept.  The suspect had his head covered with a black tee shirt, but police are hoping someone will recognize him.

Phillips described the suspect as a black male, 6'1" weighing around 185 pounds. They said he had a light complexion and some sort of hair extensions or dread locks.

Just moments before the robbery, the manager told police she saw the suspect through the drive-thru window, but she couldn't get to the other side of the building quick enough to warn the employees who were.

None of the employees were harmed, but Phillips said they were all shaken by the ordeal.

"The drive-thru window would be on the opposite side of the building from where the employees were.  By the time she confronted the employees he had already come around the store and was entering," Phillips explained.

Commentors on our FOX10 News Facebook page who viewed the video said the employees didn't appear to be in distress during the robbery.

"Is it weird to anybody else that everyone seemed to be overly calm and the robber has his back turned to them quite a few times," said Kristie M. Griffin. "They could have easily ran and hid."

"Then again, I probably wouldn't risk my life for a $5.75 an hour job," said Holli Kyser.

The robber left on foot, but police say he may have had a car nearby.

"Right now we're investigating some evidence that we have that there may have been a vehicle in the area at the time," Phillips said.

Since the robbery, the restaurant, which is open 24 hours, has made a change in its in-store hours.  

The manager said, after 11 p.m., there will be drive through service only.