Three Coffee Shops Burgled

Police are investigating three strikingly similar Fourth of July burglaries at coffee shops around Traverse City.

The first was reported at Cuppa Joe Cafe at Front Street and Garfield Avenue, called in to Traverse City Police at 6:42am July 4. Some time after 9:45pm the previous evening, someone pried open a steel door at the rear of the business and swiped $680 from a cash box, interim Chief Jeff O’Brien said.

A burglary also happened at Aroma’s on M-72 at M-22 on the west side of Traverse City. Bandits made off with $960 after someone opened a lock with a knife or a credit card.

Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a July 4 break-in at Espresso Bay in Garfield Township where $500 was taken after someone pried open a door, Capt. Randy Fewless said.

Anyone with information should call police at (231) 995-5051.