Vandalism at West Seattle Starbucks leaves some residents shaken up

A man was arrested Monday morning for vandalizing a West Seattle Starbucks, smashing windows, and throwing furniture around, scaring employees and residents.

According to the police report, at around 5:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, the suspect busted out multiple windows at the Morgan junction Starbucks 6501 California Ave.

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The man who had been in the area “talking to himself and following cars” had gone inside the store and started throwing items, smashing glass, and threatening people.

A spokesperson with Starbucks tells KIRO Newsradio that no workers were harmed in the incident, and the workers used their training in de-escalation to handle the situation.

“We’re certainly aware of the incident that a gentleman entered the store and then left the store and caused damage and broke windows which required the store to be closed Monday morning,” the spokesperson said.

They also confirmed that counseling will be provided for employees that are feeling shaken up by the incident.

“All around Morgan Junction, you see this kind of stuff. You see more broken windows, more vandalism, more shattered glass. I don’t want to say that I’m scared but I’m definitely concerned,” one patron of the Starbucks location told KIRO Newsradio. “It makes me feel bad because it’s kind of a place for the neighborhood to come together.”

Others were less fazed by the incident and will continue to come back for more.

“We love the neighborhood, and it’s a rare occurrence for sure in this neighborhood,” one resident said. “It won’t keep us from coming back though.”

The Starbucks location was able to reopen mid-Monday morning, with new, blacked-out plyboard covering the shattered windows.

Seattle Police took the suspect into custody in a parking lot across the street.

According to records from King County Jails, the man served three and a half months in prison for burglary.

He was released from jail earlier this month.

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