Police in Washington state have arrested a man seen on surveillance footage trying to abduct a bikini-clad barista via a drive-through window.
The Auburn Police Department shared footage of the incident on Monday requesting the public’s help identifying the man who tried to grab the barista and pull her into his vehicle in the early morning hours of 16 January.
The suspect, who has not yet been identified by authorities, was arrested after “overwhelming support from the community,” police said on Tuesday afternoon.
Investigators arrested the suspect at his Auburn home and after searching his vehicle found evidence linking him to the incident, Auburn police spokesperson Kolby Crossley told KIRO-TV.
Earlier, the police department said that the suspect was seen trying to “drag the victim through the window using a looped ziptie device”.
“The victim was able to fight off the attacker. The suspect has a unique tattoo on his left forearm that appears to read ‘Chevrolet,’” police added.
The video shows the man taking hold of the barista’s arm when she hands over what seems to be cash, but she manages to pull her arm away, prompting the suspect to drive off in his pickup truck.
The incident reportedly took place at the Beankini Espresso Auburn, a drive-thru coffee shop located near Seattle, where baristas wear bikinis as part of the theme of the establishment.
The victim told the Daily Mail that the incident was a “random act” and that she’d never seen the man who tried to kidnap her before.
“Our owner allows us to shut the window on any customer and handle every situation in the way we feel comfortable. We are allowed to refuse service to anyone for any reason,” she told the publication, adding that she’s worked for Beankini Espresso Auburn for nine years.
Of the baristas at the establishment, Mr Crossley told KIRO that “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.” He added that the victim “did an awesome job of protecting herself and fighting this person off.”
The department requested that anyone with information about the suspect call their tip line at 253-288-7403.
