Man charged in McDonald's robbery placed on probation

A Jefferson City man charged with robbing the McDonald's restaurant on Jefferson Street last November has been placed on five years supervised probation.

Stephon Phillips, 25, of 1413 Elizabeth St., pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree robbery. He had been charged with first-degree robbery.

He also must complete 120 hours of community service as part of his probation.

A Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement shows employees said two subjects entered the restaurant with their faces concealed and displaying firearms.

One employee was ordered to remove money from the restaurant safe at gunpoint while being threatened with physical harm.

A second employee was ordered to give his wallet and phone to the robbers at gunpoint.

The two suspects fled the area with an unknown amount of money.

A customer said he observed two subjects standing by the rear door of the business with one using a cellphone.

A moment later, an individual inside the business with long black sleeves opened the rear door to the business.

Two subjects entered and then exited a few minutes later with their hands in their pockets and fled the area.

McDonald's video surveillance captured Phillips, who worked at the restaurant, inside the business walking toward the rear door while holding an item to his ear.

A few seconds later, Phillips was seen walking away from the direction of the rear door.

Then two subjects were seen walking away from the rear door as Phillips did.

The video then shows the two suspects order one employee on the ground and another employee being ordered to open the safe. Phillips told authorities he threw trash away then entered the back door of the business.

A few moments later, he saw two subjects next to the rear door so he checked to make sure the door was locked, then walked back to the front of the business.

About 15-20 minutes later, Phillips said the two subjects entered the business displaying firearms and ordering employees to remove money from the safe.

Phillips denied speaking on a phone, walking to or away from the rear door prior to the robbery or having any involvement with the incident.

Authorities said Phillips acted in concert with the robbers.