LINN COUNTY, Ore. – A string of burglaries hit multiple coffee stands across Linn County on the early morning of March 23, leaving businesses with damaged property and stolen cash. The affected coffee stands include Country Java Espresso in Coburg, Java Joy in Harrisburg, and Latte Da Coffee in Brownsville.
The burglaries occurred between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. on March 23, with the suspect captured on several security cameras wearing black clothing, a ski mask, and white athletic shoes. Authorities report that the thief broke into the shops by shattering windows or doors, then proceeded to steal money from the cash registers or safes.
Cassie Lloyd, a barista at Country Java Espresso in Coburg, described the unsettling discovery upon her arrival at work. “When I walked in, I noticed some doors were open or damaged,” she said. “Then I turned around and saw shattered glass on the floor.” Fortunately, no money was stolen from the Coburg shop, but the damage to the window and shelving was significant. The community quickly rallied together to repair the window, allowing the stand to resume business just a few hours later.
While Country Java Espresso was fortunate in terms of stolen money, the same could not be said for the other affected businesses. Java Joy in Harrisburg was hit particularly hard. The thief managed to steal a safe containing around $2,000 in cash and payment devices. Natalie Adams, owner of Java Joy, recalled the moment she learned of the break-in. “I had only been awake for a few minutes when the sheriff’s office called,” she said. “He said, ‘unfortunately, you got broken into.'” Adams also noted that the thief had used a crowbar to remove the safe, causing additional damage to the stand.
Latte Da Coffee in Brownsville also experienced a break-in. The thief smashed the door and stole hundreds of dollars. The business owner was left to deal with both the physical damage to the stand and the financial loss.
The string of burglaries comes just one week after Lola’s Coffee & Brunch in the area was also targeted by thieves. This rise in burglaries has left local business owners on edge, as small businesses are particularly vulnerable to financial losses from such crimes.
Authorities are actively investigating the break-ins. Both the Coburg Police Department and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office are involved in the case, although it remains unclear if the incidents are connected. Law enforcement is reviewing security footage and collecting evidence in the hopes of identifying the suspect.
Despite the challenges, the affected coffee stands are working quickly to reopen. “For any small business, that’s a lot,” said Adams. “$2,000 is a significant amount of money. We’re selling five-dollar cups of coffee at a time, so you can imagine how much it affects us.”
The community’s support for the businesses has been crucial, with local residents helping to repair the damage and showing solidarity during this difficult time. However, business owners are hoping for a swift resolution and the identification of the thief or thieves responsible.
As investigations continue, authorities urge anyone with information about the burglaries to come forward. In the meantime, local coffee lovers can rest assured that the stands will continue to serve, despite the setbacks.
