Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
McDonald's Robber Hid In The Toilet Before Locking Workers In The Freezer
By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 24, 2012
Modified Apr 24, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 24, 2012
Modified Apr 24, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Police are on the lookout for an armed bandit who robbed a Queens McDonald's late last Tuesday night. The perp hid in the restaurant's bathroom until after closing, at which point he came out, locked two employees in a freezer and forced a third to help him open the store's safe before fleeing on foot.

(DCPI)
According to surveillance footage, the suspect entered the McDonald's at 181-25 Hillside Avenue around 11:50 p.m. and then hid in the restaurant's bathroom for over an hour. At 1 a.m. he emerged wearing a ski mask and brandishing a semi-automatic handgun. He then forced two of the three workers into a freezer before making a third employee help him with the safe. All in all it seems he got about $2,500 for roughly two hours of work. After the robber got his cash, he locked the third worker up with flex cuffs and hit the road. If only that McDonald's had also given the police full-time access to their surveillance cameras!
According to the police, the suspect is a black male, roughly 28-33 years old, 6', 200 lbs. with long black hair. Anyone with any information on his whereabouts or the crime are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). It is anonymous!
Tagged
dcpi
mcdonald's
queens
robbery
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to scrutinize snow removal plans as winter approaches
Lawmakers will review the city's preparations and consider a bill requiring the city to publish historical snowplowing records.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Nov 1, 2026 at 5:46 p.m. ET
'The best day of the year': Inside Clinton Hill's 'mile nine' NYC marathon party
An estimated 2 million people came out on Sunday to cheer on the marathon runners. Clinton Hill hosted one of the city's most exuberant watch parties.
By
Stephanie Keith
News
'The best day of the year': Inside Clinton Hill's 'mile nine' NYC marathon party
An estimated 2 million people came out on Sunday to cheer on the marathon runners. Clinton Hill hosted one of the city's most exuberant watch parties.
By
Stephanie Keith
November has 3 meteor showers and the best chance to see Uranus
By
Rosemary Misdary
A 'beautiful' day for a marathon, as runners, spectators pack NYC streets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Calif. judge cites 'mountain of evidence' ICE racially profiled Latinos, drawing NY notice
By
Herb Pinder
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .