Holdup Hoax Upsets Mo. Fast-Food Customers

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. --

A lunchtime robbery with a toy gun at a Sonic restaurant scared several customers, but the incident turned out to be a hoax.

Police were called after customers reported the incident.

The St. Joseph Police Department said they had a talk with the Sonic's manager after the manager staged the fake robbery. The manager said the incident was intended as a training exercise for employees on the Sonic off of North Belt Highway.

Reports said a person came in during lunchtime while customers were eating and pretended to rob the fast-food restaurant.

The manager of the restaurant declined to comment.

Sonic officials said in a statement, “The franchisee who owns and operates the drive-in sincerely regrets any inconvenience or misunderstanding caused by the training event. Sonic believes in providing a safe atmosphere for our employees.”

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