When officers arrived, they spoke to the employees who said two suspects entered the business, made verbal threats and demanded money.
“No weapon was displayed, however the suspects threatened the victim,” Fabrega said.
The first suspect, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, wore a dark sweatshirt and tan shorts.
The second suspect was wearing a dark colored heavy jacket. No further description was given for him.
For a few hours after the incident, Santa Monica police detectives and forensic investigators were stationed behind the store in the parking lot looking for clues and collecting evidence.
Dozens of people seeking their caffeine fix soon realized something was wrong when they saw the police tape and officers guarding the area.
A sign on the front door of the store told customers that Starbucks was experiencing technical difficulties and was temporarily closed. Inside, shocked employees gathered around tables trying to recover from the intense situation they had just experienced an hour before. The store opened at 11 a.m. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Robbery/Homicide Unit of the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8451.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 14, 2002. Read the original PDF.