A Subway clerk was able to protect his customers during a recent robbery in Phoenix.
Court records show that between August 26 and September 9 a man who robbed three fast food restaurants around Phoenix was caught with the help of Sonic employees.
Phoenix police report on August 26 30-year-old Von Robert Hagbrandt entered a Subway sandwich shop near 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road. He ate his food until the rest of the customers left. He then allegedly went to the register, placed handcuffs and leg shackles on the counter and demanded money from the clerk.
The employee complied and put the money in a black satchel.
A little more than a week later, police say Hagbrandt entered another Subway near Central Avenue and Roeser Road. That time, on September 5, he again waited for other customers to leave before approaching the counter and demanding money while simulating a weapon.
Police reported that a woman entered the shop with her child and saw Hagbrandt at the counter demanding money. The clerk offered to cooperate with him if he let the woman and child go.
They left and contacted police.
Police say four days later Hagbrandt struck again, this time hitting a Sonic near 51st Avenue and McDowell Road. After simulating a weapon, he demanded money be placed in the black satchel and left with Sonic employees chasing after him.
"My adrenaline was pumping and I'm like ‘He's not getting away on a bus. I’m not letting him get away on the bus.’" said Devyn Ramirez who started banging on the bus windows to get the driver’s attention.
After, Hagbrandt got onto a city bus but the employees were able to stop the bus. Hagbrandt fled but employees stayed on the phone with 911 giving descriptions and he was soon arrested by Phoenix police officers.
Ramirez says following a man who could’ve been armed was a risk but it wasn’t about the money it was about pride in their work.
"We're here working hard for our own money, we don't do that kind of stuff to get our money, it's not right." he said.
Police say they found the satchel with a "large roll of cash" inside. They also found notes to Sonic, El Pollo Loco and Burger King demanding money for his sick kids.
In his interview with police, Hagbrandt admitted to the Sonic robbery, saying he has a heroin addiction.
