He Robbed His Own Job At Gunpoint. Two Days Later, He Came Back.
A man armed with a semi-automatic handgun allegedly entered a Shake Shack near Scottsdale Road and Greenway Road in Scottsdale, Arizona, through a rear delivery door and confronted two employees during a robbery.
Investigators later identified the suspect as 33-year-old Keondre Simmons, who worked at the restaurant and had called out sick earlier that morning.
According to court records, Simmons allegedly forced one employee into a walk-in cooler at gunpoint before ordering the on-duty manager to open the store safe and hand over approximately $2,800 in cash.
Simmons then allegedly locked both employees inside the cooler before returning and forcing them to kneel at gunpoint.
Investigators said he also took the employees’ cellphones and a landline phone and destroyed them by throwing the devices into a sink filled with water.
Both employees told investigators the robber’s physical characteristics and voice were consistent with Simmons.
They also said the gunman appeared unusually familiar with the restaurant, including the location of the walk-in cooler latch, gloves, cleaning wipes and employee-only areas.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed the suspect entering and leaving through the rear of the restaurant before driving away in a green SUV.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Simmons’ cellphone records, which allegedly placed his device near the restaurant at the time of the robbery.
On August 5, 2026, detectives watched Simmons leave his apartment and drive back to the same Shake Shack where the robbery occurred.
He was arrested in the restaurant’s parking lot.
Simmons appeared at his initial court hearing wearing his Shake Shack uniform.
During an interview with investigators, Simmons allegedly said he had discarded the clothing he wore during the robbery and told detectives a firearm was inside his residence.
A search of his home reportedly uncovered a firearm with characteristics similar to the weapon used during the robbery, along with denominations of cash consistent with the stolen money.
Simmons faces armed robbery and kidnapping charges.
He was held on a $100,000 secured bond.
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