Robber raids Charleston McDonald's before dawn

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The suspect in a robbery early Monday at a Charleston fast food restaurant remains at large.

The Charleston Department of Public Safety received a call about 4:30 a.m. from a McDonald's off Interstate 57 indicating that a man armed with a handgun overpowered an employee as they were opening the building for the day, said department director Robert Hearnes.

The suspect went inside and took an undetermined amount of cash. He then took one of the employees' vehicles, which was recovered by law enforcement a short time later on Mississippi County Road 209 between Charleston and Wyatt, Hearnes said.

"We're investigating, and we don't have any suspects at this time," Hearnes said.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Charleston Department of Public Safety at 573-683-3737.

Pertinent address:

Charleston, Mo.