WATERLOO - A stickup at a Waterloo fast-food restaurant was really an inside job, police said.

A worker at McDonald's, 3695 University Ave., told police a robber came up to the drive-through window Wednesday night and fled with the cash drawer.

But investigators reviewed surveillance videos and noticed the employee, Shanae Sharise Foster, had been peering out the window before the heist as if she was expecting someone to show up, said Capt. Tim Pillack with the Waterloo Police Department.

During questioning, she admitted the allegd robber, an acquaintance, had called her about 15 minutes earlier. He allegedly told her he was coming to the store and was going to ask her for the money,

Foster, 18, of 938 Leavitt St., Apt. B, was arrested Thursday for second-degree theft and making false reports to law enforcement.

Also taken into custody for second-degree theft were Paris Akeem Anding, 16, of 309 Crescent Place, and Michael Small, 20, of 1216 Independence Ave.

The incident happened at about 10:50 p.m. Wednesday when Anding walked up the window, and Foster handed him the entire cash drawer, according to court records.

Small was the getaway driver and parked near the building and waited for Anding, Pillack said.

Anding and Small then went to Small's home to count up the loot, which was more than $1,000.

Police found the cash in a drawer in Small's room, according to court records.

Investigators said there is nothing that leads them to suspect the three detained in the McDonald's theft are involved in other robberies that have hit a number of businesses and delivery drivers since November, said Waterloo Police Capt. John Beckman.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.