Claim: Crooks are going into Starbucks and other coffee shops to steal laptops from users

A San Francisco cop says: "You walk by any Starbucks and you see people with a laptop, it's so tempting for the crooks. They walk in, right on top of the person, and the person has all their attention on the laptop. They snatch it right out from underneath their fingertips. The word is out with crooks in general." I have yet to see this happen at any of the Starbucks I frequent in the metro Chicago area. What surprises me, though, is the number of computer users who abandon their laptops while using the restroom or getting refills. (San Francisco Chronicle

Comments

[shab]

I didn't see it mentioned that *$ in particular is being targetted. Regardless, tt's a sad state of affairs. Maybe *$ will start providing clamps for Kensington Locks in risky areas.

[fiat lux]

Thieves who do run-and-grabs at coffee shops with wifi (not just *$) is a meme going around the SF area right now, I've seen similar reports and warnings on email lists I belong to.

I call it a meme because all of these reports are heavy on fear and short on names of people who actually had their laptops stolen. I'm sure it has happened and will continue to happen, but I wouldn't call it an epidemic.

[BaristaBoy]

If your stupid enough to leave your car running while you run into the convienent store or leave your laptop laying around while your using the rest room than you deserve to have your stuff stolen. Use common sense. When opportunites arise even everyday folks wonder about lifting a laptop while someone is gone. I have had customers leave brand new G5 laptops at my shop, only to call later and ask if they left it there. The staff was taking dibs on the laptop already hoping the owner would never call. It is just like your parents say, "keep track of the things you own' otherwise you may not have them. This is a silly story, it is only news because it affects a nice area.

[Lena]

I've got a laptop that I use practically all the time. It's got WI-FI and all that, so I gotta be kinda careful... but then, how can they STEAL a laptop from RIGHT UNDER your NOSE? That's kinda confusion, come to think of it...

[RC of strangeculture]

Crazy story...I had to link it on my own blog.

--RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com

[Anonymous]

Baristaboy,

There is no such thing as a G5 laptop. Is the rest of your story bogus too?

[BaristaBoy]

Whatever you call the one after G4, I guess it is the Mac Book Pro technically, sorry I used the wrong jargin.

[barista c]

It would make more sense if the theives stole other belongings while attention was focussed on the laptop actually ripping a laptop out of someone's hands.

[James the Barista]

Its really about common sense. Honestly now, who really leaves a thousand dollar (or more) thing just to use the restroom? How about you (GASP!) bring it with you? Its a fair warning but some people are just stupid.

[shab]

Yes, of course there's the common sense don't-leave-it-unattended scenario, but the victim in the story was actually stabbed for his.

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

Most people in Boston ask the person next to them if they will watch their laptop while they go to the bathroom or upstairs. I let people know that I can se e the entire store from downstairs.

[BaristaBoy]

I know the person was stabbed, but this thread comes from a particular excerpt from the article which discusses people leaving their laptop unattended.

[Mob]

This story blows my mind. For a laptop?
Jesus.

[starbarista]

I work at starbucks and yes, people are stupid enough to leave their $2000 laptop on the table to get a refill or use the bathroom. It boggles my mind, but they do it. So, I remind these unaware customers. However, they almost always roll their eyes and says, "I see it." Sometimes, their laptop, backpack or suitcase all walks out the door. Criminals have actually walked up to someone using their laptop and snatch it and ran before. Thus, keep a good eye on your surroundings!

[JP]

Come on, guys. Are you serious? Why would I take my laptop to the bathroom with me? How about a simple "hey, can you watch my stuff" to the guy sitting at the table next to you? Makes more sense, and actually can create conversation...instead of sitting around with headphones on typing away...

[ivy]

I hate people who ask "hey, can you watch my stuff." I don't know what's on your computer, and I don't know what's in your bag. If I don't know you, I ain't watching it. Plus if I'm reading the paper, I can't be keeping one eye on your $1,500 computer. I'm usually friendly and helpful, but that crosses a line.

Have some personal responsibility and pop it in your bag and take it along for the refill or bathroom break. Tip your chair or leave your coat (sans wallet) to save the seat. If you can't carry it all to the bathroom, then you're carrying too much.

I will GLADLY watch a saved space and say "hey, someone's sitting there" but I wll not watch someone's stuff.

Anyway, remember the panicked stories about iPod snatch and grabs on subways? Somehow we all lived. And I've been minding my purse for 15 + years -- I'm sure purse snatchings/stabbings are far more common than in-person laptop thefts.

[JinSanFran]

I agree with Ivy. I'm not responsible for your things so don't ask me to watch your stuff. You wouldn't ask a stranger to watch your kids (well maybe some foolish ppl would). And don't get me wrong, I'm a friendly person but... If you can't be bothered to take it with you why should I be bothered to watch it. Besides, the watcher will be the first person to feel the brunt of anger if it does go missing. What, I'm supposed to fight off a thief for you 'cause you were too lazy?

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

Starbucks is about forming community. If you can't just watch their stuff for a few minutes, then I suggest to let you know that what goes around comes around, ten times worse. We are all in this together and should try to be civil to each other.

[BaristaBoy]

"Starbucks is about forming a community"? Where do you get this stuff? Starbucks is a coffee shop, music download store, and now a movie producer. Karma is not going to get you if you decide not to watch someone's stuff. Maybe if you steal the stuff. However, remaining neutral and honest isn't a bad thing. You can't build a community by guilting people into doing what you think is right. I think your a bit naive. One world, one love, one giant big corporation.

[JustSomeBarista]

It may vary state to state, but in my state if you agree to watch somebodies things, you agree to be responsible for them. Whenever a customer asks me to watch their things (like I don't have enough to do) I tell them I can try to keep an eye out, but I can't make any gaurantees or take responsibility for their things.

[Coffeeguy. :)]

I would presonally chase down and make a citizens arrest if anyone tried to do this to one of my customers. Man what a low to steal a laptop. They are right though deffinatly take any valuables with you to the can. If you really don't want to take that laptop in the can becuase you are afraid your gonna get water on it just ask me to keep it behind the counter for a sec I can't really see many baristas in any store not doing that simple action for you.

P.S. Is it just me or is Baristaboy really really bitter? I've seen your postings all over after reading the site for a short while. You need to go drink some tea and relax.

[shab]

It's not something I make a habit of doing, but I was in the middle of a project and badly needed to use the restroom. There was an an older couple sitting nearby, so I asked if they'd watch my laptop for a few minutes and offered to get them a drink. They had no problem and politely declined the drink. We struck up a nice conversation afterward and my day turned out for the better.

[startrancer]

I've am a partner, but I've also been a customer at the Bux, and about the whole laptop thing...well, I've seen people leave them to go to the bathroom, I've left mine to do the same. But just let me tell you, that one of the goals of Starbucks is to create an atmosphere that makes people want to come there all the time. It's suppposed to be one of their so'called "secondary hang-out spots". Or the first place people think of to go to study, or to have a casual business meeting, or a book club get-together. So, forgive me if I feel that I'm somewhere that I feel comfortable enough to leave my laptop unattended while I go to the bathroom, or get a refill, or go outside and smoke. That's one of the main goals of Starbucks...to create that kind of trust and level of comfort.

[Lyra]

"So, forgive me if I feel that I'm somewhere that I feel comfortable enough to leave my laptop unattended while I go to the bathroom, or get a refill, or go outside and smoke."

I'll forgive you on the condition that if your laptop is ever stolen/damaged while you are in the bathroom/getting a refill/smoking, you promise not to make a giant fuss and sue Starbucks for not providing your laptop with an armed guard.

[cornfrost]

Something about this story smacks of urban legend. I have never been aware of a laptop theft in my store. A purse theft, yes, but not a laptop. And it's really irritating to end such a story on a ha-ha cutesy note, with the cop saying that patroling Sbux would cost a lot of lattes. (Regardless of whether you give comp drinks to cops, which is another issue.)

I would never hold someone's laptop behind the counter. We have no space for that. It could too easily fall or get wet. We don't even have space for our own stuff, which we keep in the basement. (And there have been 'inside job' thefts, too, especially of CD players and MetroCards.) I keep all such valuable stuff -- cash, metrocard, watch -- in my pocket and on my person.

[BaristaBoy]

Well said, Lyra-You Rock....I think I will go enjoy some tea now...peace..out

[Drinker]

There are so many ill-informed posts in this thread, I don't know where to start.

First of all, there is ZERO content in the Chronicle article about laptops being left unattended. Someone said that the excerpt in the StarbucksGossip summary talked about this. No, the only comment on this comes from the operator of this site.

Other people say this is just anecdotal, or there is no evidence. Well, go read the flipping article, which states clearly that laptop robberies rose to 48 from 18 in SF in 2005. By the way, "robbery" *specifically* involves threats or violence. If you leave your laptop on the table when you're in the bathroom, and it is stolen, that is THEFT, not ROBBERY.

Not an urban legend, not about people being stupid and leaving things unattended. Try reading before you comment.

[BaristaBoy]

Drinker has to go have a few drinks. I don't think he realizes that this is a "gossip" site and often people discuss things outside the initial topic. What the hell does, "ill-informed posts" mean on a gossip site. Are we reporters? This is a subjective site with running personal commentary. Perhaps drinker should read the titles of the sites he goes to before he goes to them. His condescending self-righteous attitude is obvious by such commments as "flipping article", yelling at us by using capitalization and I am still not sure how one "tries to read"(you either read or you don't).

The article clearly discusses thefts and since, as drinker points out, thefts don't involve violence or intimidation, one can only assume that these laptops were stolen in the abscence of it's owner.

"San Jose has been hit by laptop thefts, but it has yet to experience many of the robberies. "We haven't seen it yet,'' said Sgt. Nick Muyo of the San Jose police."

"Some cafes have taken precautions, installing security leashes for laptops and even posting employees to act as observers at doors. Lynch said a leash would prevent some thefts. But posting someone at the door could be risky. Lynch said that in Europe, video monitors are posted and signs warn patrons that they are being watched."

Cheers

[Drinker]

Hey BB, I do apologize if I sounded like I was yelling -- sometime I do use CAPS since as far as I can tell there is no way to italicize. But you were incorrect to state "this thread comes from a particular excerpt from the article which discusses people leaving their laptop unattended." And it amazes me that baristas would respond to an article about strong-arm robbery by blaming the victims.

[BaristaBoy]

I think if you carefully read the responses, you would see that a discussion began about people who will ask total strangers to watch their stuff. Some people felt it was no burden to watch other people's personal items and other people felt that they shouldn't be responsible to watch a stranger's personal items. Both valid points. No one is blaming someone who is stabbed while sitting at their laptop. How you drew that conclusion? I am not sure.

The thread to be specific is begun by the webmaster and his own commentary on how people leave unattended laptops. He sited the article in quotations before his commentary, thus discussion ensued on the subject defined. I think your splitting hairs on whether we should be discussing thefts or robberies and overall your trying to control the conversation. You would make an excellent lawyer if we were in a court of law, but unfortunately you have exacted your legal opinion in a gossip column.

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

I use PGP encryption and a biometric fingerprint scanner on my computer so I am pretty sure that if it was stolen, the data stored in it would be pretty useless to them. I like my passive aggresive approach, if I can't have my computer than nobody can. I just want it to like self-destruct if the casing is opened, like all the insides burn and melt and release poisionious gases would be great, but alas no. :(. Also, Starbucks is about providing a place of belonging. If you read the Green Apron Book, it simply states actions that all baristas should take to cause the Starbucks Experience. I would suggest you practice Being Welcoming to all your customers.

[Katie]

Why not use one of those steel cables that you lock on your laptop and loop around the table leg. Not exactly foolproof, but if I were a thief, I don't think I would want to have to take time to lift up a table in front of a bunch of people just to snatch a laptop.

[MarissatheBarista]

I've actually had someone leave a laptop in the lobby for hours...they forgot it and didn't call til 27 hours later...

I work in a BAD area and no one has ever stolen a laptop from my 'bux *knock on wood* and unless a customer is going to drive away, they usually just ask us to keep an eye out, and we do.

[Lunarmusings]

Ok... new here, but really? Forget the stolen laptops, what are people still doing going to Starbucks and paying MONEY to use their WiFi service when there are plenty of coffee shops that offer it for free?

Now I realize that this may not be true everywhere, but certainly in greater metropolitan areas.

And if we are taking a poll, then yes... I too ask my coffee neighbor to watch my belongings when I go refill my cup!

Happy drinking!

[Amy Alkon]

It's a laptop, not a Univac. Lift it up and take it to the bathroom with you.

[M Slater]

I just think that its amusing that people complain about the simple idea of someone else posting there opinion on a comment thread like this. I can understand disagreeing and even so much as despising but to put down the idea of expressing an opinion...thats just plain retarded.

As for the story at hand, I'm still trying to understand what its originally about, but it appears to be mainly on the subject of laptop robberies at starbucks and other coffee shops. I've not seen that personally but I wouldnt put it past the occasional tweaker. After all just a few months ago, I was at the bank inside a grocery store here in the Orange county CA (where crime is relatively low) right at closing time 7 pm im literally handing the bank teller a $300 cash deposit when men with mask discreetly jump over the (open) counter and rob the bank right in front of me. It was quite a seen. I backed off gently moved away towards a far exit of the store where people were crowded basically just watching and waiting for it to end of course calling police as well. Luckily the $300 deposit was in the hands of the teller, that way I was able to easily recoup my money with no argument. Now the bank is partitioned with thick glass just a couple weeks afterwords. So i wouldnt just leave my laptop around a starbucks without being aware of the possibility (albeit slim) that someone may pick it up. Id say theres nothing wrong with asking someone next to you to if they would just "keep an eye on it" but I would say good ediquette would be to make clear that you dont expect them to go out of their way (fight off a robber) so id say its just a play on words more than anything, whats a person gonna reasonably do, unless its a big guy with an ego who wants to be the hero and watch your laptop with a veangance, I mean what's the average starbucks user gonna do (other than signify keeping and eye on it or temporary ownership role to detract offenders. Chances are, it would seem, if your in a crowded enought starbucks to ask a person next to you to keep an eye on your laptop, any possible theif is probably gonna be at least somewhat prepared for at least a minimal possible conflict since he/she would presumably taking it right from under at least someones nose...even if its just the person sitting next to you. Anyways, I dont know, that's just my opinion.

As for the barista or shop owner being responsible...well that must be written by some naive coffee shop owner cuz here in Southern cali theres many different Starbucks and coffe shops in general with different situations where holding or keeping an eye on a costumers laptop may or may not be feasable. Like at one starbucks it could be a mellow shop with a more "straight laced" crowd where the shop owner can easily offer that, on the other hand, if im down by the pier in Huntington Beach near the water, i definitely wouldnt expect the shop owner to keep up with a constantly full line and a fairly jumpy store and limited space as well. So hopefully that addresses that issue. Theres nothing wrong with a shop owner offering that if they are willing to pay if its somehow does get stolen. Otherwise that would look quite lame on the owners part. and furthermore I agree with the guy/gal who posted a comment about a person being a good lawyer but that "political correctness" doesnt work in a blog or comment dialog like this. Thats naivity to think that it would. This is the internet and its still and hopefully will remain the electronic wild west for a while longer (although big madia does have a fairly good stronghold on some web markets. anyways peace out and check out this site on adult and gay personals, if your into that sort of thing http://outpersonals.com/go/g1930 its not just gay personals, its linked to some straight adult and non adult personals networks as well.
Otherwise please keep the comments and opinions coming, you do truly get the best perspective of what people really think from a good discussion board. Why not? peace

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[Tim Mc Hugh]

Being asked to watch someone elses stuff so they don`t have to be bothered themselves is too close to the definiton of chump...(I`m gonna stand here on the corner in the rain for another hour, then they can borrow the ten grand from somebody else!) And if the lap top gets stolen on my watch?!? Yeah, you`re gonna yell at me for letting it get stolen! Or if you walk off for that phone call and then rush off forgetting about me... How long am I supposed to wait for your return? Five minutes, fifteen or forty-five? Don`t ask me to take responsibilty for your belongings, and if you do, don`t become angry when I refuse!

[Alexis]

This happened to me in a Starbucks TODAY in Union Square in NYC.

I was sitting the table, with my laptop in front of me, when the guy leaned over, grabbed it and ran out the door.

I stood, yelled what had happened, and ran after him. After a few blocks of my chasing and persistent yelling the guy (who wasn't that great a runner) gave up and handed my laptop to a random delivery person on the street. I ran up and got it back.

So I was lucky in that I responded quickly and my thief was out of shape, but let me assure you, this DOES happen. And from right under your fingertips.