Working in a coffee shop, you get to see a lot of interesting things. However, one thing you don't ever expect is for someone to try to abduct you.
That horrifying thought became a reality for one barista in Auburn, Washington.
Auburn Police Department released surveillance footage of the incident, which took place just after 5:00 am. The suspect—driving a Chevy Silverado—attempted to pull the barista through the drive-thru window with one hand while wielding a ziptie type object in the other.
Luckily the victim pulled free from the suspect and the suspect drove off.
\u201cThe Auburn Police Department is asking for any information to help identify a suspect that attempted to abduct a barista during the early morning hours of 1/16/2023.\u201d— Auburn WA Police Dept (@Auburn WA Police Dept) 1673931352
Auburn P.D. noted the suspect had a tattoo on his arm that appeared to read "Chevrolet".
\u201cThe suspect seen here attempted to drag the victim through the window using a looped ziptie device. The victim was able to fight off the attacker. \n\nThe suspect has a unique tattoo on his left forearm that appears to read \u201cChevrolet\u201d.\u201d— Auburn WA Police Dept (@Auburn WA Police Dept) 1673931352
Shortly after posting the video to social media, Auburn P.D. arrested a suspect in the attempted kidnapping.
\u201c@CBSNews @rjmrrt He\u2019s been arrested: https://t.co/HaTudAtMug\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1673972111
A spokesperson for the the Auburn Police Department, Kolby Crossley, stated they received numerous tips which eventually lead to them making an arrest. They added the barista was working alone at the time of the attack.
Crossley told KIRO7 News:
"They are in vulnerable positions because they're usually controlling those spots by themselves at early hours in the morning when it's dark outside."
"But this barista did an awesome job of protecting herself and fighting this person off."
They arrested the suspect at his home Tuesday morning.
"Multiple people called in saying they knew the person and were able to give a name."
"Obviously we had such great evidence."
People on social media were rightfully outraged at what happened.
\u201c@AuburnWAPolice What is happening to our society? Women shouldn\u2019t have to be paranoid every time we interact with a man.\u201d— Auburn WA Police Dept (@Auburn WA Police Dept) 1673931352
\u201c@CBSNews Do people just commit crimes without thinking, or do they think there will be no consequences for their actions?\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1673972111
\u201c@CBSNews Great, a new fear unlocked for every woman working a drive through window. \u2639\ufe0f\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1673972111
\u201c@CBSNews Disturbing.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1673972111
Others pointed out the obvious.
How did he actually think his plan would work?
\u201c@CBSNews I don\u2019t even see how that would have actually worked.\u201d— CBS News (@CBS News) 1673972111
\u201c@AuburnWAPolice So he was planning on dragging a full grown person out of the drive thru window and in through his side window, by the arm, past himself and then into the passenger seat, head first, then driving away, while the victim is probably attacking him in self-defense. On security cam.\u201d— Auburn WA Police Dept (@Auburn WA Police Dept) 1673931352
\u201c@AuburnWAPolice I don't see how he thought that would work.\u201d— Auburn WA Police Dept (@Auburn WA Police Dept) 1673931352
Police are investigating whether or not the suspect and the victim knew each other.
The suspect is scheduled to have his first court appearance Wednesday morning, where the police plan to release his name.
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