Purchase ruse opens register; Police arrest homeless man in restaurant heist
By The Patriot Ledger
QUINCY - A man said he had a gun but he needed a different kind a pop to get clerks to open the register at a fast-food restaurant, police said.
Todd Helfrich, 42, who is homeless, was later arrested and charged with armed robbery, Quincy Police Capt. John Dougan said.
Dougan said Helfrich entered the McDonald’s restaurant at 275 Hancock St. shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday, went up to a register and demanded money, Dougan said.
When clerks said they couldn’t open the drawer because they didn’t have keys, Helfrich said he had a gun and again demanded money, Dougan said.
When the clerks reiterated that they could not open the drawer, ‘‘the suspect said, ‘Well, then, I will buy a small Coke,’’’ Dougan said. ‘‘And a clerk rings up the Coke, and opens the drawer.’’
Helfrich obtained cash from the drawer and fled on foot. No gun was shown, Dougan said.
Police got a description of the robber, and a short time later Officer David Levine saw Helfrich about to enter a taxicab at 430 Hancock St.
Levine stopped Helfrich and restaurant employees later identified him, Dougan said.
Helfrich was arraigned Monday in Quincy District Court.
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