"Gary, I know who you are. I know where you live. I know you have kids. If you don't do as I say, I will kill you."
Those were the chilling words uttered to a staff member by a disgruntled former McDonald's worker during one of three armed raids on fast-food
outlets in the Bay of Plenty, the Tauranga District Court has been told.
Michael John Munro, a 27-year-old caregiver of Tauranga, pleaded guilty to three charges of aggravated robbery, one of attempted aggravated robbery and one of burglary. The court was told he used his inside knowledge of the fast-food industry to rob the outlets of more than $46,000.
Munro, a P addict, issued the death threat to make McDonald's staff member Gary Simpson comply with his wishes during a robbery of the 11th Ave branch on August 18 last year. He also held up the Mt Maunganui branch of McDonald's on October 3, and the Mount branch of KFC on February 8.
Police said that before the first McDonald's robbery, Munro told an accomplice he knew the steps staff took when counting money.
He also spoke of knowing of gaps in store security and how they could get into the branch after-hours.
On the morning of the robbery, the pair drove to the carpark at the back of McDonald's and hid in bushes.
Both wore black balaclavas, Munro was carrying a 25cm knife and the other man was armed with an iron dumb-bell bar.
At 6am, maintenance worker Mr Simpson walked out a rear door, was grabbed by Munro and knocked to the ground. Munro held the knife to Mr Simpson's neck and uttered the chilling threat to kill him.
He took Mr Simpson into the kitchen, where manager Amy Stewart and staff member Andrew Marsden were counting money. The staff were ordered to open the safe and the robbers escaped with $34,000 cash.
Munro was remanded in custody for sentencing on December 10. Reparation of $66,658 is being sought.
- NZPA
