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Police say crime ring hits 5 Chesterfield, Henrico fast food restaurants

Posted at 12:06 AM, Sep 11, 2013
and last updated 2013-09-11 07:12:41-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Police sources tell CBS 6 that the fast food robbers have struck again, this time in far western Henrico.

Armed thugs, wearing masks and gloves, ordering McDonald’s employees to meet their demands. They were armed, their stealth job complete.

Law enforcement sources tell CBS 6 the method of the robbers pictured here has been the same in five heists in Central Virginia: two on Hull Street, one on Willis Road, one on Nine Mile. And the most recent hit was at a McDonald’s off Nuckols Road in far western Henrico.

"Not a lot of crime happens here,” said Bradley Wells, who lives nearby.  I didn't even know about it."

"These are calculated, so they know what time to go in, know what location is best to get in and get out and snatch the funds,” said retired forensic psychologist Mike Banks. “Their age may mean it's just second nature to them."

The surveillance photos are startling.  You see masked men with a shot gun demanding cash.  A police source told me at least one employee at the McDonald's had the gun pointed directly at his head.

"It can happen anywhere," a man who didn't want to be identified said.  He says a family member who works there said all employees were made aware of Sunday’s robbery.

"They have been briefed from the corporate level of what to do and what not to do," he said.

Sources tell me there were constants in all five robberies: same description, same disguises, the use of two different weapons with the heists either in the early morning hours or late at night.

"They have control over just a few employees so they can take whatever and go,” said Banks.  “You say they haven't hurt anybody, so if these guys are out there watching, don't hurt anybody."

Police are asking our viewers if they recognize the suspects to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.