Police searching for gun-wielding suspect
Employees at the new Starbucks Coffee shop at Cochrane and Monterey Roads had a rude awakening Friday by a lone gunman demanding money in the early morning hours, according to the Morgan Hill Police Department.
The suspect, who is described as a man in his mid-20s with a light complexion wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans, tennis shoes and gloves, allegedly entered the coffee shop and went immediately into the restroom.
After several minutes, the suspect came out of the restroom with the bandana over his face carrying a revolver. He forced three employees into the back room of the shop and demanded they open the safe. He took approximately $1,500 in cash and fled the store heading north, witnesses told police.
MHPD Cmdr. Terrie Booten said a customer came into the store during the robbery, turned and walked right out and called the police. The call came into dispatchers at 5:21am, and officers arrived on the scene at 5:25am.
“These type of crimes tend to be crimes of opportunity,” Booten said Friday morning. “We certainly ask the public to again be cognizant of their surroundings, to call us if they see anything or anyone acting suspiciously. In this case, the suspect went directly to the bathroom where he stayed for quite a while. If circumstances are suspicious enough, call us, be detailed about why it is suspicious, be articulate in describing what they have seen. This helps us out in planning our response and in prioritizing our calls.”
Officers searched the surrounding area, but were unable to locate the suspect. Booten said the investigation is continuing, and officers are studying videotapes from the Starbucks and from the parking lot.
Store Manager Robert Gonzalez said the three employees were not injured.
“I sent all of them home for the day,” he said Friday afternoon. “They were just a bit shaken up.”
There was no damage to the shop, which was closed down for several hours after the robbery, he said.
The employees, who receive training in dealing with robbery situations, Gonzalez said, would also receive counseling if desired.
“Starbucks will take care of them,” he said.
Anyone with information is directed to contact Sergeant Swing of the Morgan Hill Police Department Special Operations Division or Crimestoppers at 778- STOP (7867).
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com.
