Customers inside a McDonald's on Route 22 in Union were sent into a panic Thursday after a smoke bomb was detonated inside the restaurant, police say.
Union Township police and firefighters responded to the McDonald's at about 5 p.m. for reports of a smoke condition. When officers arrived, they learned that a man had exited one of the restrooms and detonated a "red-colored incendiary smoke bomb" inside the business.
"This caused alarm to the customers who were eating their food and had to flee the business," police said in a statement. "The suspect appeared to be filming this for social media purposes."
Following the incident, police say the suspect quickly left the McDonald's and ran to a white Audi that was waiting in the parking lot. After he entered the passenger side, the car drove off, heading eastbound toward Route 22. No injuries were reported as a result of the smoke bomb detonation.
Police say the suspect was wearing a black head wrap, ripped blue jeans, a Ralph Lauren hooded sweatshirt and black boots. Investigators are asking anyone who may recognize the suspect from social media to contact Detective Carthaniel Crum at CCrum@uniontownship.com or 908-851-5000.