Authorities did not immediately identify the robbery suspect, who told a Starbucks employee he had a gun. Police said they did not recover a weapon.
05.16.11 | SPRINGFIELD - Starbucks on East Columbus Ave.SPRINGFIELD -- City police hunted down an armed robbery suspect who allegedly held up the Starbucks coffee shop at 1089 East Columbus Avenue around 5 a.m. Monday.
Police officers who were in the downtown area were able to quickly track the man -- described as a 5-foot, 6-inch white male with blonde or white hair -- to the corner of Dwight Street and Falcon Way, where he was apprehended without incident.
Two Starbucks employees reached by The Republican / MassLive.com shortly after the incident declined comment, saying all media inquiries must go through company headquarters in Seattle.
The assailant told the employees he had a gun. But it turned out the man apparently was "bluffing," Springfield Police Sgt. Jeffrey Martucci said.
Police said the man, who claimed to have a gun but didn't show a weapon during the holdup, fled with some cash from the coffee shop. However, authorities declined to say how much money was taken.
Police didn't immediately identify the robbery suspect, who was still being booked shortly before 7 a.m. and is expected to be arraigned on charges Monday in Springfield District Court.
More details will be posted on MassLive.com as additional information becomes available.
THE MAP BELOW shows the approximate location of the Starbucks coffee shop at 1089 East Columbus Avenue, which was the scene of an alleged armed robbery early Monday morning: