Armed Robbery Strikes British Band Sports Team During First US Tour Coffee Stop

Armed Robbery Strikes British Band Sports Team During First US Tour Coffee Stop

By Marcus Hartley

December 4, 2024 at 08:34 AM

British indie band Sports Team was robbed at gunpoint during their first US tour stop while getting coffee at a Starbucks in Vallejo, California. The incident resulted in the theft of their passports, stage equipment, and personal belongings from their tour van.

Man wearing black hoodie, looking distressed

Man wearing black hoodie, looking distressed

The robbery occurred around 8:45 AM when the band was alerted by a passerby that someone was breaking into their white Sprinter van. When band members attempted to intervene, the thief displayed a firearm, forcing them to retreat. Tour manager Lauren was nearly caught in the confrontation before realizing the danger.

According to drummer Al Greenwood and singer Alex Rice, local bystanders and Starbucks staff showed surprising composure during the incident, suggesting such occurrences might be commonplace. When contacted, police simply directed the band to fill out an online form rather than dispatching officers to the scene.

The thief broke the van's passenger window and stole:

  • Cameras and laptops used for performances
  • Passports and documents
  • Personal clothing and belongings

Fortunately, the band's instruments were secured in a locked compartment and remained untouched. Despite the setback, Sports Team remains committed to continuing their tour, which began in Sacramento and continues in San Francisco.

"We're definitely not going to let this put us off," said Greenwood, while Rice added, "We've got nothing against the Bay Area — we think it's great here. But it's sad that it's kind of got to this sort of place with gun violence."

The band's third album, "Boys These Days," is scheduled for release at the end of February.

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