Arizona Shake Shack Employee Arrested After Armed Robbery of Own Workplace, Returns to Shift Days Later

A 33-year-old Shake Shack worker in Phoenix has been charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and kidnapping following an incident at the Kierland Commons location on August 3. Keondre Simmons allegedly called out of his shift around midnight before returning hours later to commit the heist, according to court filings reviewed by FOX 10 Phoenix.

Investigators determined that Simmons entered through a rear delivery door after an employee opened it upon hearing what he believed to be a scheduled delivery bell. Once inside, authorities said Simmons brandished a firearm and forced the worker into a walk-in cooler, locking him inside. The suspect then confronted the on-duty manager and demanded access to the restaurant’s safe.

Under threat of the weapon, the manager removed approximately $2,800 in cash and placed it into a black gun case-style container, according to police reports. Simmons then forced the manager into the cooler with the other employee and locked the door. Both workers eventually escaped, but the suspect returned and ordered them to kneel at gunpoint while destroying their cellphones by throwing them into a sink of water.

Two days after the robbery, Simmons appeared at the restaurant wearing his work uniform, where law enforcement arrested him. He later told investigators that he discarded the clothing worn during the incident and stated that a firearm remained in his residence. Simmons is scheduled for a court appearance on August 25.