Thief Targets Same Petaluma Starbucks Twice, Stealing Tips: Police

PETALUMA, CA — Police asked for the public's help Thursday in identifying a man who has allegedly stolen tip money twice from the same Petaluma Starbucks. The last incident at the Starbucks at 701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway happened at 4:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, according to police.

After taking the employees' tip money, Petaluma police Sgt. Rick Cox said the suspect attempted to steal a deposit bag near the register.

"Store personnel were able to get the deposit bag back before the suspect fled the business on foot," Cox said.

The incident was caught on video surveillance, police say, revealing the suspect to be a Latino man in his late teens or early 20s who was wearing a red T-shirt, beige pants and holding a gray sweatshirt. The suspect also had a red/green tattoo on his right wrist, possibly of a flower.

Police say the suspect is related to a similar incident Aug. 16 at the same Starbucks during which the tip jar was stolen.

The Petaluma Police Department is asking anyone who has any information about the suspect in these incidents to contact Community Service Officer Mota at 707-781-1243.