Starbucks bandit seen lurking, waiting for best time to attack, police say

SAPD: Robber suspected in other incidents

SAN ANTONIO – Authorities suspect a robber who held up a North Side Starbucks at gunpoint Sunday morning might be behind several other robberies that have occurred over the past few weeks.

Police said the armed robber walked into the Starbucks at Loop 410 and Vance Jackson Road around 6:30 a.m., demanded cash and then ran out the back door.

Earlier this month, the San Antonio Police Department's Robbery Task Force alerted police in surrounding areas of what appears to be an organized effort to rob businesses that are open early.

A Starbucks in Hollywood Park was robbed at gunpoint Sept. 13 as the staff opened the store, much like the robbery that occurred Sunday.

While San Antonio police haven't explicitly linked Sunday's robbery to the Hollywood Park incident, Hollywood Park police Chief Shad Prichard said his office was alerted of a pattern of robberies of certain businesses.

"They're looking at Taco Cabanas, Starbucks, Whataburgers, Valeros and they're casing these places," Prichard told KSAT earlier this month.

Police haven't released the number of robberies the bandit is suspected of committing, but Prichard said "it's significant."

San Antonio police are asking people to be vigilant and report suspicious behavior, noting that the robber was seen waiting, looking for the best time to attack.

Hollywood Park Police shared video of the Sept. 13 robbery with KSAT: