A 19-year-old man, Ezekiel Guerrero, was arrested after allegedly attempting to kidnap a bikini-clad barista from a drive-thru window at a coffee stand in Washington state. The incident occurred at Ladybug Bikini Espresso, a coffee shop known for its scantily-clad servers, around 2:15 a.m. on August 18, according to police reports.
The alleged abduction attempt was captured on security footage. The incident began when the female employee handed Guerrero a clipboard to sign his receipt. Police reports indicate that Guerrero then violently grabbed the barista by the arm, attempting to pull her into his car.
The victim managed to escape the terrifying situation by bracing her legs against the counter during the struggle. She was left with red marks on her wrist, bicep, and shoulder. After breaking free, she quickly closed the drive-thru window as Guerrero drove away.
Guerrero, who had used a credit card to pay for his order, was located and arrested on Monday afternoon. According to the police report, he confessed to his actions, attributing his behavior to alcohol and marijuana. He also told police he was upset over a breakup and had visited the 24-hour coffee shop to see a “pretty girl,” insisting he had no intention of causing harm.
This incident is not an isolated one. Other baristas in Washington state, where bikini coffee shops are popular, have reported similar terrifying encounters with aggressive male customers.
Guerrero was charged with first-degree attempted kidnapping and was released after his arraignment. The victim expressed her disappointment with the outcome, stating, “I’m honestly just really upset that since he’s young and it’s his first offense that he got no bail, or house arrest.” She voiced her concern about the potential for future violent acts from Guerrero.