Docs: Man attacked Arby’s drive-thru workers over mobile order, came back on foot with a gun

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man faces felony charges after workers at a local Arby’s said he attacked them while trying to climb through the drive-thru window and threatened them with a gun because his mobile order wasn’t ready.

Augustus A. Harper, 50, has been charged in Marion County with felony intimidation, battery and pointing a firearm in connection to a May incident at an Arby’s restaurant on Indy’s far east side.

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

Upon arrival, officers spoke with a drive-thru worker who said that an unknown customer had attacked him through the drive-thru window. The man was reportedly upset that his mobile order wasn’t ready and tried to enter the building through the window.

The man hit employees in the head, neck and shoulders with both closed and opened fists while trying to make his way into the business, court docs show. Employees said the man, described as an older, heavier-set Black man, then drove away in a black Chevy SUV.

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

Court documents show that the angry customer then began to walk in circles around the Arby’s while screaming and waving the handgun. He later got back into his Chevy SUV and continued to drive around the building, employees said.

One employee who spoke with officers said that the man smelled of alcohol and seemed intent on getting into the building. The man reportedly pointed the gun not only at workers but fellow customers as well.

Police were given mobile receipt records for the man’s order and connected it to a person with the last name Harper. Through the receipts, IMPD was able to collect a phone number which then led them to a black 2015 Chevy Traverse with connections to Harper.

During follow-up interviews with police, several Arby’s workers reportedly selected Harper from a photo array lineup. One employee said they were “100% positive” that Harper was the irate customer.

Given the evidence IMPD gathered, the department filed a probable cause affidavit on June 11 charging Harper with two counts of felony intimidation, one count of battery resulting in bodily injury and one count of pointing a firearm.

Online jail records do not reflect that Harper has been arrested or booked as of 2 p.m. Thursday. However, online court records show that an initial hearing in his case is scheduled for Friday.

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