2 robberies take place minutes apart in Jefferson City

Jefferson City police are investigating two robberies that happened just minutes apart.

A man told police he was assaulted and robbed by three men wearing masks in the 1000 block of Elizabeth Street early Saturday morning.

ABC 17 News has learned the victim later saw his alleged attackers and rammed their car with his pickup truck. Police arrested him for second-degree assault.

Just four minutes after the initial robbery, police responded to what they are calling an unrelated armed robbery at the McDonald’s on Jefferson Street.

One McDonald’s employee is in police custody on suspicion of helping the robbers.

“We did detain one individual from there who was an employee of McDonald’s, who we believe let the subjects into the business, and he is currently being held in the Cole County jail,” said Lt. Deric Heislen of the Jefferson City Police Department.

Police are asking anyone with information about the crimes to call Crime Stoppers at 573- 659-TIPS (8477).