LANCASTER (CBSLA) Police sought public help on Friday to identify a man who they say beat a barista over what could have been a dispute over the chain’s facial mask policy.
The assault occurred at a Starbucks on West Avenue I in Lancaster. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, a man hit a barista when employees asked him to put on a mask when entering the cafeteria.
Detectives at Lancaster Station seek public help to identify the suspected assault suspect for assaulting a local barista. The man hit an employee after the employee asked him to put on a mask. Do you know him? Help us keep our local businesses safe! Https: //t.co/pltphjU5Ix#LASD # AV411 pic.twitter.com/TQWHl75uiv
– LASD Lancaster Stn. (@LANLASD) July 24, 2020
Sources later told CBSLA that the incident may have involved the theft of a tip jar, but authorities could not immediately confirm it.
Sheriff’s officials said they also wanted to speak to a second man who was with the suspect.
In response to the incident, Starbucks released this statement: “Our focus is now on our partner and his recovery. We want to thank LASD Lancaster Station for supporting the safety of our partner and the community, and we will continue to assist in their investigation in any way we can. ”
Both men involved were described as black men. The suspect was described as 6 ft 2 and approximately 230 pounds, and appeared to be wearing a dark jacket and light colored pants. The second man was described as 6 foot 6 and 245 pounds and was wearing a blue shirt and dark colored shorts.
Anyone with information on either can call Detective Grajales of the Los Angeles County Sheriff at (661) 948-8466.
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