Phoebe Judge

Was it clear that you were dealing with someone who was not only athletic, but also pretty smart?

Was it clear that you were dealing with someone who was not only athletic, but also pretty smart?

The robber had fired his gun to scare employees, once into the ceiling and once into a fax machine. But police said he hadn't fired at any employees during his robberies. During one robbery, he pistol-whipped and tied up an employee, after the employee came up behind him and hit him over the head with a bucket.

The robber had fired his gun to scare employees, once into the ceiling and once into a fax machine. But police said he hadn't fired at any employees during his robberies. During one robbery, he pistol-whipped and tied up an employee, after the employee came up behind him and hit him over the head with a bucket.

Police arrested a 19-year-old man named Jacob Ray Farrell on the roof of a McDonald's in California. He'd triggered an alarm at 2 in the morning. But he had no weapon or black mask with him. And when police searched the roof, there was no hole anywhere. He told police that he had climbed onto the roof to try to get some sleep, and he was later ruled out as a suspect.

Police arrested a 19-year-old man named Jacob Ray Farrell on the roof of a McDonald's in California. He'd triggered an alarm at 2 in the morning. But he had no weapon or black mask with him. And when police searched the roof, there was no hole anywhere. He told police that he had climbed onto the roof to try to get some sleep, and he was later ruled out as a suspect.

McDonald's corporate increased their reward to $10,000. It must have been incredibly frustrating that you couldn't catch him.

McDonald's corporate increased their reward to $10,000. It must have been incredibly frustrating that you couldn't catch him.

In early 2000, a robbery was reported at a Trader Joe's near Salem, Massachusetts. Police believed it was the rooftop robber. By then, he was linked to robberies at 35 other stores and restaurants across the country, mostly McDonald's, but he had also been connected to robberies at Burger King locations, as well as grocery, toy, and video stores. Police said he had stolen almost $100,000 in cash.

In early 2000, a robbery was reported at a Trader Joe's near Salem, Massachusetts. Police believed it was the rooftop robber. By then, he was linked to robberies at 35 other stores and restaurants across the country, mostly McDonald's, but he had also been connected to robberies at Burger King locations, as well as grocery, toy, and video stores. Police said he had stolen almost $100,000 in cash.

And they seemed to have no idea where he'd turn up next. There's no set pattern, a Sacramento County Sheriff's Sergeant said. It's all a big lotto. Restaurants that hadn't experienced robberies were also finding holes on their roofs. Police suspected that in those cases, the rooftop robber had been scared off.

And they seemed to have no idea where he'd turn up next. There's no set pattern, a Sacramento County Sheriff's Sergeant said. It's all a big lotto. Restaurants that hadn't experienced robberies were also finding holes on their roofs. Police suspected that in those cases, the rooftop robber had been scared off.

A repairman in the Sacramento area who closed up eight rooftop holes said the robber was clearly determined. He said he had dug through asphalt and sheet metal and even used an axe to chop through a roof in one location. The police started asking the public for help. They set up a hotline for any tips. And they also released a description of who they thought the rooftop robber was.

A repairman in the Sacramento area who closed up eight rooftop holes said the robber was clearly determined. He said he had dug through asphalt and sheet metal and even used an axe to chop through a roof in one location. The police started asking the public for help. They set up a hotline for any tips. And they also released a description of who they thought the rooftop robber was.

This is not the kind of person family members would be suspicious of, an investigator told a reporter. When they picture the kind of person who can rob, they don't see him. The investigator also said that the suspect was motivated by money and, quote, has a good relationship with his mother. She added, you can just tell that by the polite way he treats people.

This is not the kind of person family members would be suspicious of, an investigator told a reporter. When they picture the kind of person who can rob, they don't see him. The investigator also said that the suspect was motivated by money and, quote, has a good relationship with his mother. She added, you can just tell that by the polite way he treats people.

And then, a month later in May of 2000, a masked man entered the McDonald's in Belmont, North Carolina. He put Mervat Fayyad and her co-workers in the walk-in cooler and shortly after was caught by police. His name was Jeffrey Manchester. He was 28 years old and had a rifle, drills, pry tools, and hammers with him and a nylon bag stuffed with $8,000. He was also carrying a military ID.

And then, a month later in May of 2000, a masked man entered the McDonald's in Belmont, North Carolina. He put Mervat Fayyad and her co-workers in the walk-in cooler and shortly after was caught by police. His name was Jeffrey Manchester. He was 28 years old and had a rifle, drills, pry tools, and hammers with him and a nylon bag stuffed with $8,000. He was also carrying a military ID.

He was in the Army Reserves. The police put Jeffrey Manchester into the back of their car and drove him over to the McDonald's that had just been robbed to see if the employees recognized him.

He was in the Army Reserves. The police put Jeffrey Manchester into the back of their car and drove him over to the McDonald's that had just been robbed to see if the employees recognized him.