Man Pistol-Whipped By East Bay Starbucks Gunman

HERCULES, CA — Coffee shop robberies that have become a common problem in the East Bay turned violent in Hercules on Monday when two males, one armed with a gun, robbed three victims at a Starbucks.

One of the victims was hit in the face with the gun and had to be treated at a hospital for injuries.

The armed robbers got away with electronic devices and were last seen running toward a residential neighborhood behind the Starbucks, located at 842 Willow Ave. The robbery happened during the noon hour.

No arrests have been announced.

That same Starbucks was the scene of a laptop theft on Jan. 2. In that case, one suspect between the ages of 16-18 stole a MacBook from a patron. He ran to a waiting Honda Civic that sped off. That robbery happened around 8:15 p.m. No arrests have been announced in that case either.

Coffee shop and laptop thieves have been a serious problem around the East Bay for more than a year, with police frequently releasing photos of suspects, like these in Alameda, and the robbers often strike near highway on-ramps for a quick getaway. It's a problem in Fremont, San Leandro, Pleasanton and Alamo.

Two brazen thieves even stole a laptop from a priest in a classroom at St. Mary's College.

-Image via Starbucks