Police: Armed woman says she robbed Duquesne McDonald's 'for her kids'

DUQUESNE, Pa. — A former McDonald's employee was arrested early Friday morning after robbing a Duquesne McDonald's at gunpoint, authorities said.

According to police, Amanda Schaffer walked up to the drive thru window, knocked and pointed a gun at an employee's face.

Schaffer then fired a shot that didn't hit anyone and then crawled through the window, police said.

Detectives said Schaffer forced the employee to take her to the restaurant's safe. She then exited the restaurant on foot through the back door with about $3,500 in cash.

A West Mifflin police officer caught Schaffer a short time later hiding behind a nearby Dumpster. Officials said she admitted to the crime and said she did it for her kids.

According to police, Schaffer's 8- and 10-year-old kids were home alone during the incident, so she'll face charges for that as well as robbery and aggravated assault.

The McDonald's was closed while police investigated the scene, but it has since reopened.

People who live and work near the McDonald's like Yolanda Madison said the crime is unsettling.

"We're a little bit nervous as to how we're going to protect ourselves," Madison said. "A lot of times I leave out of here late, so I'm also being cautious myself. I'm going to make sure I'm not carrying a lot of stuff."

WPXI