Woman accused of robbing Chick-fil-A, using money at casino, then leading officers on chase that ended in crash

LEEDS, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) — An Alabama woman is in jail after police said she robbed a Chick-fil-A and used the money to gamble at a casino.

Police were called to the Chick-fil-A in Leeds on Friday.

Officers said Kaudija Shondrelle Haynes, 32, of Birmingham, used mace at the drive-thru window and told an employee to give her a bag with money in it. The employee complied, and police said Haynes left the parking lot, driving recklessly and putting other employees’ lives in danger.

Detectives were able to track her location to the Wind Creek Casino in Wetumpka, where they said she was gambling with the Chick-fil-A money.

Haynes was arrested after crashing into several trees during a police chase.

She is in the Elmore County Jail charged with attempting to elude, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Upon her release from the Elmore County Jail, Haynes will be transferred to the St. Clair County Jail on charges of first-degree robbery, reckless endangerment and fourth-degree theft of property.

“We are proud that none of the employees or customers were injured,” Leeds Police Chief Paul 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.”