Update 4:00 p.m.: The Anchorage Police Department has just released additional details on the morning robbery in East Anchorage. The suspect, whose description is similar to both the McDonald’s and Arby’s reports as well as a third early morning robbery, is still at large. He is described as a 5’7” black male wearing dark clothing in two of the cases. The release describing the heists is featured below:
APD Case 16-1204:
At 4:41 AM Anchorage Police were dispatched to an alarm at Holiday gas station located at the corner of E 68th Avenue and Lake Otis Parkway. Approximately one minute later, while officers were enroute to the location, police received a call from a Holiday employee stating they had just been robbed. There were two employees working at the time, one of whom was in a back room. A black male, wearing all dark clothing, walked in to the store. He pointed a handgun at the remaining employee and demanded money from the register. The employee complied, and the suspect left on foot with the cash. A perimeter was set up, and a K9 track was conducted, but no arrests were made. There were no injuries.
APD Case 16-1225:
At 10:26 AM Anchorage Police were dispatched to McDonalds on Muldoon Road in reference to an attempted robbery. A suspect had walked up to the drive-through window, pointed a handgun at the employee, and demanded she open the window. The employee backed away and the would-be robber ran away on foot. He was described as a black male, approximately 5’7” tall, wearing dark clothing. There were no injuries.
APD Case 16-1226:
At 10:38 AM, while still investigating the McDonald’s robbery, police received reports of Arbys on Muldoon Road being robbed. A suspect had walked into the restaurant, pointed a handgun, and demanded that one of the employees open the register. After the register was opened, the suspect led the three employees to the back of the store and shut them in the freezer. A few moments later one of the employees, who was still wearing his headset, was alerted that a customer was in the drive-through attempting to order food. The employee relayed to the customer what had happened and the customer called police. The employees then let themselves out of the freezer. Cash had been removed from the register. The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 5’7” tall, wearing dark clothing. There were no injuries.
Police are currently following up on leads but are asking for anyone who has information about any of these crimes to call Police Dispatch at 786-8900 (press “0” to speak with an operator). You may remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or online at anchoragecrimestoppers.com.
Update 12:00: An attempted hold up of McDonald’s on Muldoon occurred 10 minutes prior to the Arby’s robbery, according to Alaska Dispatch News. A gun was involved in both cases, said Renee Oistad, APD spokeswoman. The suspect(s) arrest is not confirmed in the article.
Original Post (edited): Published at 11:06 a.m.
Shortly after 10:30 a.m. the Anchorage Police Department responded with at least six cars to the area surrounding an Arby’s restaurant on Muldoon in East Anchorage in pursuit of a robbery suspect.
Comments on the Anchorage Scanner Joe page suggest a robbery sparked the response.
One officer was viewed quickly moving through the back lot of the Arby’s on to State Street. APD shut down the block of East 12th Court between Boston and State Street. The streets are separated by a block and adjacent to a large wooded property. More updates will be added as details are released.
Sebastian Garrett-Singh 