Robber jailed for targeting Starbucks while armed officers were at drive-thru

An armed robber has been jailed for six years after threatening staff at a Starbucks before being spotted by police who were getting coffee in the drive-thru.

Matthew Clarke was arrested over the raid in Northamptonshire at around 4.30am on August 13, dubbed “coppercino” by the force’s armed response vehicle unit.

The 29-year-old used a hammer and screwdriver in an attempt to force staff to hand money over, Northamptonshire Police said.

The officers who witnessed the incident arrested Clarke at the scene in St James Retail Park and he was later charged with robbery.

Clarke, of no fixed address, was jailed at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, the force added.

Detective Inspector Adam Pendlebury, said: “Matthew Clarke certainly got more than he bargained for when he attempted to rob Starbucks on that Monday morning and I’m very pleased to hear that he has been rewarded with six years behind bars for his efforts.

“We are absolutely determined to fight crime and protect people in Northamptonshire – this was a very distressing incident for the staff at Starbucks so to get justice for them is brilliant.

“I also hope this serves as a reminder that it’s not such a bad thing when police officers manage to take their well-earned breaks while out on shift, and as this case shows, they are never quite off-duty.”

Police said a 29-year old man and a 28-year-old man also arrested in connection with the incident have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.