In a bizarre turn of events, a man known as “Hamburglar” carried out a series of daring robberies primarily targeting McDonald’s restaurants. His story is one of meticulous planning, audacious heists, and a dramatic capture.
One night, Hamburglar found himself on the roof of a McDonald’s. It was late, the staff were still inside closing up, but the store was officially closed. Equipped with an array of power tools, Hamburglar began drilling and cutting into the roof. Once he had created a 2×2 foot hole, he rappelled down into the store.
The staff, still occupied with their closing duties, were taken by surprise when Hamburglar appeared. Calm and composed, he drew his weapon and politely requested, “Will everyone please get into the walk-in freezer? I’m robbing the place.” Remarkably, he even suggested they take their coats to avoid getting cold. The employees complied, shuffling into the freezer, which Hamburglar then locked. He proceeded to rob the store of its money before fleeing. Once clear, he made an anonymous call to the police, ensuring the staff would be released from the freezer promptly.
Hamburglar’s unique choice of targets stemmed from his past. As a teenager, he had worked at McDonald’s and was familiar with their standardized layouts and schedules. This knowledge proved invaluable, enabling him to execute his heists with precision. Over a span of two years, he successfully robbed between 40 and 60 McDonald’s stores, always during closing time and always by lowering himself through the roof to avoid detection.
His downfall began when he became overconfident. After robbing one McDonald’s, he attempted a second heist the same day at another location ten miles away. This time, an employee managed to activate the silent alarm. The police arrived swiftly, catching Hamburglar in the act. He was arrested, and his mug shot was taken. At his trial, he was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Four years into his sentence, Hamburglar saw an opportunity for escape. Known for his good behavior, he was allowed to work in the prison’s metal shop. There, he covertly constructed a fake undercarriage, which he attached to a delivery truck. Hiding within it, he escaped as the truck left the prison.
Now on the run, Hamburglar needed a place to hide. He broke into a local Toys “R” Us and made a small camp behind the bike rack. Each night, after closing, he would ride the bikes up and down the aisles for exercise and survive by eating baby food from the shelves. Knowing the location of all security cameras, he avoided detection and lived there comfortably for several months.
During this period, Hamburglar began integrating into the community. He joined a local church and became an active member. It was here that he met Lee, a single mother of three. The two started dating, with Hamburglar claiming to work for the government and living in a secret location due to his high-security clearance. Lee, charmed by him and his rapport with her children, believed his story.
As Christmas approached, Hamburglar realized the increased foot traffic in Toys “R” Us made it too risky to stay. He tunneled through the wall into the adjacent abandoned Circuit City, creating a new hideout under a stairwell. Here, he spent his days watching DVDs, including “Catch Me If You Can,” a film about a masterful con artist.
Hamburglar’s downfall came when he decided to rob the Toys “R” Us store after Christmas, anticipating a large amount of cash. Armed with a stolen weapon, he entered through his tunnel, confronted the employees, and ordered them to raise their hands. However, two employees managed to escape and call the police. Hamburglar, showing his usual cunning, fled through his tunnel before the police could apprehend him.
The police discovered his tunnel and hideout in Circuit City, where they found the DVD with his fingerprints. This allowed them to confirm his identity as the same individual who had previously robbed numerous McDonald’s locations and escaped from prison. An APB was issued, warning the community of an armed fugitive on the loose. The local news broadcasted his mug shot, and members of the church recognized him as Lee’s boyfriend.
The police approached Lee and explained her boyfriend’s true identity. Heartbroken but cooperative, Lee agreed to help. She called Hamburglar and invited him to her 40th birthday party. When he arrived, he was met not by a celebration, but by the police. Hamburglar was arrested once again and returned to prison.
Hamburglar’s story is a testament to both his audacity and the inevitability of justice. His carefully planned crimes and eventual capture serve as a reminder that, no matter how clever, crime ultimately does not pay.
