'Bikini baristas' accused of serving more than just coffee
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EVERETT, Wash. -- Three so-called "bikini baristas", including a 16-year-old girl, were arrested Wednesday in Everett for allegedly violating the city's adult cabaret law.
The arrests came at the end of a two-month long investigation into a pair of Grab-N-Go coffee stands, according to police.
"Citizens complained that these locations served more than just coffee," Lt. James Duffy of the Criminal Intelligence Unit said in a Wednesday news release.
Duffy said the investigation uncovered what he called "exhibition and exposure which is outside the confines of the law."
Police used surveillance cameras to capture the baristas allegedly giving customers "shows" for money without actually serving any coffee.
Everett police officer Aaron Snell said Grab-N-Go customers know they're going to see scantily-clad baristas. He said their clothes -- or lack thereof -- were not the problem, but their actions went too far.
"They were uncovering themselves and exposing themselves, which is completely different than the outfits they were wearing," he said. "It's behavior driven as opposed to what they were wearing."
A barista who was not arrested believes the police are targeting bikini barista stands.
"The cops are looking to try and shut down a lot of bikini stands because stigma behind them," said barista Kassi Carlson.
In 2010, five Grab-N-Go baristas were charged with prostitution and violating the city's adult entertainment ordinance following a two-month undercover investigation.
Those women, ages 18 to 24, were accused of groping and other sexual acts, including exposing their breasts and privates and licking whipped cream off of each other in exchange for money.
The owner of the coffee stands, Bill Wheeler, said he is only aware of two of his employees being arrested Wednesday.
"I got a phone call saying the cops were here and they were going to detain them," he said.
He said a 22-year-old and a 17-year-old were arrested. Police listed the ages of the arrested women as 29, 21, and 16. The three were later released from custody with charges referred to the Everett city prosecutors for review.
Despite the company's shaky history with the law, Wheeler insists everything at his coffee stands in on the up-and-up.
"I make it very clear that my business isn't what they may suspect it to be," he said. "Regardless of what they heard in the past in the media I have a zero-tolerance-policy for any of this conduct."
The arrests came at the end of a two-month long investigation into a pair of Grab-N-Go coffee stands, according to police.
"Citizens complained that these locations served more than just coffee," Lt. James Duffy of the Criminal Intelligence Unit said in a Wednesday news release.
Duffy said the investigation uncovered what he called "exhibition and exposure which is outside the confines of the law."
Police used surveillance cameras to capture the baristas allegedly giving customers "shows" for money without actually serving any coffee.
Everett police officer Aaron Snell said Grab-N-Go customers know they're going to see scantily-clad baristas. He said their clothes -- or lack thereof -- were not the problem, but their actions went too far.
"They were uncovering themselves and exposing themselves, which is completely different than the outfits they were wearing," he said. "It's behavior driven as opposed to what they were wearing."
A barista who was not arrested believes the police are targeting bikini barista stands.
"The cops are looking to try and shut down a lot of bikini stands because stigma behind them," said barista Kassi Carlson.
In 2010, five Grab-N-Go baristas were charged with prostitution and violating the city's adult entertainment ordinance following a two-month undercover investigation.
Those women, ages 18 to 24, were accused of groping and other sexual acts, including exposing their breasts and privates and licking whipped cream off of each other in exchange for money.
The owner of the coffee stands, Bill Wheeler, said he is only aware of two of his employees being arrested Wednesday.
"I got a phone call saying the cops were here and they were going to detain them," he said.
He said a 22-year-old and a 17-year-old were arrested. Police listed the ages of the arrested women as 29, 21, and 16. The three were later released from custody with charges referred to the Everett city prosecutors for review.
Despite the company's shaky history with the law, Wheeler insists everything at his coffee stands in on the up-and-up.
"I make it very clear that my business isn't what they may suspect it to be," he said. "Regardless of what they heard in the past in the media I have a zero-tolerance-policy for any of this conduct."
It's amazing in this day and age and with all the other actual real problems facing us we are still afraid of a pair of boobies... Having said that the 16-yr old had no business working there until she's 18 in my opinion.
I'd like a cappuccino with extra creme please.
For starters, no one under 18 should be working at a place where the body is being exhibited. I wouldn't mind having a place like this in my neighborhood, but no exploitation of minors and no prostitution.Â
and we're releasing violent offenders; face palm
What's so bad about service with a smile and a little extra sugar on the side? Â
@peace because to much sugar will cost you half your stuff and cause diabetes
@censoredirawoody @peace ---and if the sugar is 16 years-old it would cost most guys ALL their stuff.
"A latte and two large milk shakes please"
@Phil that will bring all the boys around
Drive thru strippers why not pots legal just dot see where the pole goes....and this is where U read between the lines ..squint you can do it.
@IAMHIGH We know where the pole goes ;). Seriously though they should leave the girls alone, they're just trying to make a living & I dont judge.
@Shofoeshore @IAMHIGH Does it go on the inside or outside? I don't judge either just like good coffee..Wink wink =)
@IAMHIGH @Shofoeshore It goes inside the foamy goblet.