Sunday, August 20, 2006

Drive-Up Window Crawler Foiled in Robbery

WATERLOO, Iowa - A man's robbery attempt was thwarted by employees of a fast food restaurant after he climbed through the drive-up window demanding money, police said.

Jacob Mason Choi Koelling, 24, of Waterloo, was arrested early Thursday morning after he was restrained by employees at a Hardee's restaurant, police said.

The dining area of the restaurant was closed, so Koelling placed his order for a bacon, egg and cheese combo at the drive-up window, police said.

They said he told employees he couldn't open his door to pay, so he parked his car and walked to the drive-up window. He then crawled through the window and demanded money, said Thane Soderstrom, 19, a restaurant employee.

Koelling was armed with a long cardboard tube covered in black tape, police said.

Another employee wrestled with Koelling while Soderstrom called for help, police said.

Koelling was charged with first-degree robbery and burglary.