Five people have been arrested in connection with the early morning armed robbery of a Flowery Branch McDonald’s restaurant, including an employee whom investigators believe was involved.

Hall County Sheriff’s Col. Jeff Strickland said two females and two males were let into the restaurant at 3 a.m. Friday by an employee, supposedly to use the bathroom. One of the four suspects pulled out a small caliber handgun and forced two of the restaurant’s three employees into a walk-in cooler.

The third employee opened the safe for the robbers and handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, Strickland said. No one was injured and the cooler was not locked.

Shortly after the robbery, a lookout was posted for a white 1999 Mazda 626. A deputy spotted the car about 3:25 a.m. in Gainesville and pulled the car over on Athens Street. The four occupants were taken into custody.

After questioning the employees, investigators determined that one of the McDonald’s workers, 24-year-old Jeremy Scroger, assisted in the robbery, Strickland said.

After securing a search warrant, investigators recovered the handgun and the stolen money from the Mazda, Strickland said.

Scroger was charged with armed robbery and kidnapping. Also charged with armed robbery and kidnapping were Sidney Lewis Howell, 17, Shinard Ryaston Cook, 18, Siedah Yasmeen Smith, 21, and Shacarra Rucker, 18.