Arbys employee attacked at drive-thru in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis man is facing felony charges after employees at a local Arby’s restaurant say he attacked them as he tried to climb through the drive-thru window and threatened them with a gun because his phone order wasn’t ready.

Augustus A. Harper, 50, has been charged in Marion County with intimidation, assault and pointing a firearm. The charges stem from an incident in May at an Arby’s restaurant on the far east side of Indy.

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called to the Arby’s at 10877 E. Washington Street on May 29 for an armed disturbance. Callers reported that a man was angry at employees and pointing a gun inside the restaurant.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with a drive-thru employee who said an unknown customer attacked him through the drive-thru window. The man was reportedly upset because his mobile order was not ready and attempted to enter the building through the window.

According to court documents, the man struck employees in the head, neck and shoulders with closed and open fists while trying to enter the store. Employees said the man, described as an older, heavyset black man, then drove away in a black Chevy SUV.

The store manager then described to police how the man returned to the drive-thru on foot shortly thereafter, this time armed with a handgun. The man reportedly cocked his gun, pointed it at a drive-thru employee and said he was going to kill someone.

Court documents show the angry customer then began running in circles around the Arby’s while yelling and waving the gun. He later got back into his Chevy SUV and continued driving around the building, employees said.

An employee who spoke to officers said the man smelled of alcohol and appeared to be trying to enter the building. The man reportedly pointed the gun not only at employees but also at other customers.

Police obtained receipts for the man’s order and were able to match it to a person with the last name Harper. Using the receipts, IMPD was able to obtain a phone number that then led them to a black 2015 Chevy Traverse with connections to Harper.

During subsequent police questioning, several Arby’s employees allegedly selected Harper based on a lineup of photos. One employee said he was “100% sure” that Harper was the angry customer.

Based on the evidence collected by IMPD, the department filed a probable cause affidavit on June 11, charging Harper with two counts of intimidation, one count of assault, and one count of pointing a firearm.

Online jail records do not indicate that Harper was arrested or issued a summons as of 2 p.m. Thursday, but online court records indicate an initial hearing in his case is scheduled for Friday.