Four arrested in connection with McDonald’s armed robbery in New Kent

Four suspects — three adults and one juvenile — face several felony charges each in the aftermath of the early morning Aug. 26 armed robbery at the McDonald’s restaurant on Route 60 at Bottoms Bridge in New Kent County.

New Kent Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. reported tonight (Thursday) that the suspects are in custody in Chesterfield County and are being held without bond. The names of those arrested have not been released, the sheriff said, adding that search warrants are still being served tonight in connection with the suspects’ homes and vehicles. Several search warrants were executed during the day.

Howard added that all are from the Richmond area and none reside in New Kent or Charles City counties. The suspects appear to be part of a larger robbery gang that in recent weeks has targeted fast food restaurants in the Richmond area, including Chesterfield, Henrico, and Dinwiddie counties along with New Kent. The group, which includes both adult men and women, could have struck as many as 15 restaurants, the sheriff said.

In New Kent, the four suspects are expected to be charged with one count each of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Authorities also expect to file three separate charges of abduction against each suspect in connection with the three McDonald’s employees held at gunpoint during the robbery, Howard said.

“We plan to get with the commonwealth’s attorney [Linwood Gregory] on either Friday or Monday and decide if he wants to do direct indictments or get warrants,” Howard said Thursday night.

New Kent detectives Joey McLaughlin, Farrar Howard III, and Donald Mehalko spent all day Thursday at Chesterfield police headquarters interviewing suspects after the gang was apprehended earlier that morning, allegedly in the act of committing another robbery.

Investigators from Chesterfield, Henrico, and Dinwiddie also grilled the suspects, who are being held on charges from those jurisdictions.

The New Kent robbery occurred around 3 a.m. on Aug. 26. Two men with their faces concealed and displaying handguns accosted the three employees on duty and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. Presumably, the other two suspects expected to be charged in New Kent occupied the group’s getaway vehicle.

“We have worked very closely with Chesterfield and Henrico in breaking this case,” Sheriff Howard said.

(Look for updates to be posted Friday on this website.)