Woman Robbed Chick-Fil-A, Used Money to Gamble at Nearby Casino

Chick-Fil-A’s “Eat Mor Chikin” slogan was not supposed to entice customers to rob them for their "chicken."

An Alabama woman is in jail for allegedly stealing money from a Birmingham, Alabama Chick-Fil-A that she used to gamble at a casino. 

The incident, which occurred around 9:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, ended with the woman crashing into several trees. She was arrested once she was removed from her vehicle.

Chick-Fil-A casino robbery

32-year-old Kaudija Shondrelle Haynes of Birmingham is accused of brandishing a weapon and endangering the lives of nearby individuals by recklessly driving in the restaurant’s parking lot and on the roads.

According to a police report, Haynes used mace at Chick-Fil-A’s drive-thru window and demanded that an employee hand her a bag filled with money. The worker complied with the order.

The assailant was tracked to Wind Creek Casino in Wetumpka, which is about 16 miles north of downtown Montgomery and 115 miles south of the location of the robbery. 

“When we got there, we were able to get her vehicle information, look at the video, use some technology to identify her almost immediately,” said Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin.

“By the time they located her, she was exiting the casino,” he continued. She resisted arrest. She jumped in her vehicle and fled. A short time later, she drove off the roadway and into some trees.”

Haynes is currently in the Elmore Jail, according to WBRC 6 News. She is facing a series of charges.

A change for the better?

Once Haynes is released from the Elmore County Jail, she will be transferred to St. Clair County Jail for the crimes of first-degree robbery, reckless endangerment, and fourth-degree theft of property.

Irwin said that the video technology that helped track Haynes to the casino has been influential in helping to stop crime. He even said it was “the reason why crime is down nationwide,” since criminals are easier to locate.

The incident has caused a change in Chick-Fil-A’s operating procedure. Although Iwrvin said that they “made the right decision” to hand over the money, based on Chick-Fil-A’s training and protocols, employees at the Ashville Road location will no longer be required to have bags of cash.

“We are proud that none of the employees or customers were injured,” Irwin said. “This individual endangered employees while fleeing and when she attempted to elude law enforcement in Wetumpka. 

“She put others in danger and could have killed herself. It shows that addiction will cause someone to do anything to gamble or use drugs.”