‘Coppercinos’ on a break foil Starbucks raid

A CHIEF constable has defended his officers taking coffee breaks – because they foiled an armed robbery during one.

The thieves threatened staff with weapons and stole cash from a Starbucks drive-through outlet unaware an armed response unit was in the queue at the same time.

The team drew their weapons and chased the robbers. One man aged 29 was later arrested on suspicion of robbery and cash was recovered.

Searches were carried out for a second man thought to be involved in the incident at a retail park in Northampton at 5am yesterday.

Officers tweeting about the arrest used the hashtag ‘Coppercino’. One user replied: ‘Not easy to hold a coffee in one hand a Glock [gun] in the other and a croissant held between the teeth.’

Nick Adderley, Northamptonshire Chief Constable, tweeted: ‘A fantastic job. Armed officers had to ‘self-authorise’, draw their weapons and pursue the armed robbers. Hopefully this will quieten down those who criticise the police for having refreshments on duty!! Great work, thank you.’