The manager of Kennewick's Sonic Drive-In pleaded innocent Wednesday to allegations he encouraged a teen to rob his restaurant, getting away with about $500.

Christopher Jay Halls, 23, is charged in Benton County Superior Court with second-degree robbery.

Prosecutors claim it was at his suggestion that Dakota Harding hit the fast-food restaurant on Oct. 20. However, Harding also allegedly told police he "went to Sonic to collect money from Halls for a drug debt," according to court documents.

Halls, of Pasco, is scheduled for trial Jan. 30.

Harding is accused of walking up to the drive-through window at the Gage Boulevard restaurant and telling an employee, "Give me the till," while implying he had a weapon.

The employee did not actually see a gun, but still pushed the "panic button" and alerted Halls, the store manager. Halls then handed over the cash to Harding, documents said.

The employee reported watching Harding walk to a parked car at a neighboring business and drive off, court documents said.

Kennewick officers got a description of the robbery suspect and the vehicle from the employee. Halls also said he recognized the robber and identified him as Harding, which was confirmed through video surveillance footage, documents said.

Harding, 17, of Kennewick, was arrested Oct. 24 in Zintel Canyon and told officers that Halls put him up to it. Halls allegedly received no money for his role in the robbery.

Harding pleaded guilty Wednesday in Juvenile Court to second-degree robbery, obstruction and resisting arrest for two separate cases, court records show. His sentencing is set for Nov. 21.