Suspect Flees on Bicycle After Stealing Money from Coffee Shop Tip Jar: Cops

WESTPORT, CT — A homeless man allegedly threatened to kill a female coffee shop cashier Sunday morning in Westport before he stole money from a tip jar and fled on a bicycle, according to police.

The incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. at the SoNo Baking Company on Church Lane, and the suspect, Dave Phillips, 55, was arrested a short while later at the Gillespie Center on Jesup Road. The facility is a homeless shelter located near Westport Police Headquarters.

"The male, identified as Dave Phillips, stated he used the money he stole to buy cigarettes," wrote police in a statement. "The cashier positively identified Phillips as the male who threatened to 'kill her.'"

Phillips was charged with Threatening, Disorderly Conduct and Larceny 6th degree. He was held in lieu of a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Superior Court on Aug. 12.

Photo: Dave Phillips. Photo credit: Westport Police Department