Parole Absconder Charged In McDonald's Armed Robbery
WATERFORD (WWJ) - A 29-year-old man has been charged after robbing a Waterford McDonald's.
John Chester Gaik IV was arraigned Thursday in 51st District Court on one count of armed robbery. He is currently lodged at the Oakland County Jail on $150,000 cash bond.
Waterford Police say the charge stems from an incident that happened around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday at the McDonald's on Telegraph near Elizabeth Lake Road.
Employees told police that a masked man, later identified as Gaik, walked up to the counter and gave the cashier a note demanding the money. The note allegedly said if the cashier wouldn't comply, he would get his gun and start shooting.
The employee handed over an undisclosed amount of money, and Gaik fled the scene on foot.
Officers from Michigan State Police and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office responded and offered assistance to Waterford police at the scene. After a quick search of the area, Gaik was located less than three blocks away from the business just minutes after the crime occurred.
Gaik was arrested and police recovered the stolen money. Police say Gaik later told officers that he did not have a gun.
Gaik, who was an absconder from parole at the time of his arrest, has an extensive criminal history that includes two breaking and entering convictions, along with numerous charges of larceny that date back to 2001.
Waterford Police Chief Daniel McCaw thanked everyone who helped apprehend Gaik, calling the situation an "excellent example of our partnership with those police agencies serving our bordering communities."
