Starbucks Baristas Who Subdued Robbers, Fired By The Franchise

Starbucks is reaching headlines this week as the franchise announced the firing of two baristas who took down aggressive robbers at a St. Louis location. A representative for Starbucks wrote in a press release, “The safety and well-being of our partners (employees) and customers is always our first concern. All partners are expected to follow our carefully crafted protocols to ensure the safety of customers and partners during these situations.”

The firings have raised quite the controversy after details of the incident led the baristas to being labeled “heroes.” On Dec. 17, 2023, St. Louis police responded to the local Starbucks after an armed robbery was called in. Joshua Noe, 37, and Marquise Porter-Doyle, 35, entered the store with what appeared to be loaded handguns. They proceeded to demand cash from the register and that everyone in the store lie face down on the ground.

The tables turned when employees told the robbers the safe could not be opened. The Blaze reported that Noe hit one of the employees over the head with a gun, which then shattered. The victims realized it was fake at that point but continued to take down the robbers with help from two baristas.

When police arrived on the scene, Noe was restrained but Porter-Doyle had run off. Police eventually found him and both suspects were arrested. The two criminals are facing 20 felony charges for the attempted robbery and assault.

Starbucks baristas Devin Jones-Ransom and Michael Harrison were both consequently fired by the company for their reactions to the situation. Harrison was the victim who had been hit on the head by Noe. The New York Times reported that Harrison said everyone in the store was crying in fear and the situation felt very dangerous at the moment.

Ransom was first to attack the robbers following the shattering of the gun and Harrison and other customers jumped in afterwards to assist him. When police arrived, they thanked the two baristas for their brave response. The baristas were immediately put on paid leave for two weeks before being fired.

Riverfront Times reported that the barista’s lawyer Ryan Krupp is planning to take legal action against the store. He said in a statement, “Michael and Devin were promptly fired by the company without any explanation as to what, if any policy they violated, or what they should have done differently about the situation.” Harrison said in his statement that he, “Just wanted to do the right thing as a person and as an employee.” He also said he was working at the store to save up for his education to become an EMT.