Masked men drag Popeye’s worker on floor during armed robbery, video shows

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Police Department released shocking surveillance video of an armed robbery at a Frayser Popeye’s in which two suspects are seen throwing employees down and dragging one across the kitchen floor.

According to investigators, it was the first of six robberies targeting fast food restaurants in just two days.

The robbery at Popeye’s happened just before 9 a.m. Sunday as workers were preparing to open the store for the day.

Two men dressed in black were seen entering through the kitchen door, which an employee told FOX13 was propped open with a rock to make taking the trash out easier. One of the men had a gun.

“They came in there and they’re dragging the employees all across the floor,” Popeye’s customer Mara Williams said. “That’s crazy.”

Williams said she was shocked to learn the restaurant where she got her dinner Wednesday had been a crime scene just days before.

“I feel like all of it was wrong, but if you were going to rob the place, you didn’t have to drag the employees. They didn’t have anything to do with it,” she said after watching the surveillance video. “I wouldn’t even want to work there any more. I would leave.”

A worker told FOX13 the employees seen being assaulted in the video have not been back to work since the robbery.

Williams said she frequents the Popeye’s and never could have imagined such a crime happening there. For her, the footage was a reminder to keep her guard up.

“Especially being a woman, you have to watch your surroundings and try not to be out too late,” she said. “Just make sure you always know what’s going on around you.”

MPD said the robbers left the store on foot.

An employee told FOX13 the robbers stole more than $2,000.

Three McDonald’s, a Krystal and a Taco Bell were robbed by a different suspect over the course of about an hour Monday evening.

The suspect in those robberies allegedly went through the drive-thru in a blue Hyundai Accent, ordered a meal, then pulled out a gun when he got to the window. He was seen on camera reaching through the window and pulling cash out of the register.

Williams said her thoughts are with the employees of all six restaurants.

“It’s really sad because people are coming to work, trying to make a living, other people are coming and trying to get food, and you try to do something like that,” she said.

MPD reports no one has been arrested for the crimes, and requests anyone with information to reach out to CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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