As I understand it, the two men arrived in athletic sweats and asked where the bathroom was. They explained to the questioning manager (who was white and suspected a robbery) that they were waiting on a third person to arrive so they could discuss a business opportunity (yes, I always show up for business meetings in jogging clothes).
The manager summoned the police and while the discussion escalated, the third party arrived and supported the claims of the first two. The police, however, agreed with the manager and led the pair away in handcuffs.
The whole situation could have been handled better. Since it’s uberliberal Starbucks, I don’t give a double latte espresso that they’re being picketed. I’m actually enjoying watching them grovel.
There’s plenty of Cuban owned mom and pop bogegas around Tampa that serve great strong coffee at more reasonable prices and without the pretentious aura Starbucks is known for. Besides given Starbucks’ progressive corporate culture you’d think they would want us to BUY LOCALLY.
These guys might have been hoodlums, but they obviously aren’t stupid. They new exactly which place to target.