Men try to abduct female barista

MOSES LAKE -  Two males attempted to kidnap a female barista, but failed.

The attempted abduction occurred at Jojo's Java on West Broadway Avenue in Moses Lake Tuesday night.

The female barista was restocking her coffee stand when a white van pulled up, according to Moses Lake police.

She told police the men ordered her into the van, as they approached her.

The barista ran into her stand and shut the door, according to the police report.

She described one of the males as being Hispanic and the passenger as half Black and half Hispanic, wearing a blue bandana on his head.

Both men were wearing white T-shirts and baggy pants.

The barista described the two as being in their late 20s or early 30s.

Moses Lake police checked the area after the incident but could not locate the van or suspects.

Individuals working in smaller businesses, like a coffee stand, should be extra cautious of their surroundings, said Moses Lake police Capt. David Ruffin.

"In smaller businesses, people know that there's usually only one person who works there and the business may be open earlier or stay open later than bigger stores," he said. "Sometimes, when it's late at night and you're the only one locking up the business, you need to be careful."

He advised everyone to be aware of their surroundings.

"If a person sees something that appears to be suspicious, they need to trust their own instincts. They need to distance themselves from the situation and then give us a call so we can check up on the situation," he said.

Ruffin said people can call the police to check out a suspicious situation or provide an escort.

Anyone with information about the two suspects in the attempted abduction are asked to call Moses Lake police at 509-766-9268.