Robber Slugs Starbucks Customer in Face, Steals His iPhone But is Quickly Captured in South Pasadena

A Starbucks customer was slugged in the face, knocked to the ground and beaten early Saturday afternoon in a daytime robbery during which he suffered a cut near his left eye, a swollen cheek and the loss of his iPhone.

The attack on the 22-year-old La Crescenta man occurred at 12:50 p.m. at 753 South Arroyo Parkway near the Metro Gold Line Fillmore Street Station, Pasadena police Lieutenant William Grisafe reported.

Grisafe said the victim had just exited Starbucks carrying his drink when he was approached by a man who asked to use his phone. The victim declined, saying he was in a hurry.

Without warning, the suspect hit the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground.

As the victim lay on the ground the suspect continued to hit him and rifled through his pockets, stealing his iPhone. The suspect fled, leaving the victim injured.

Pasadena police arrived and could not locate the suspect. Local agencies were alerted.

A short time later, South Pasadena police officers saw a man matching the suspect’s description in a Starbucks at 1318 East Huntington Drive in South Pasadena.

The officers detained the man.

Grisafe said that even though he was handcuffed, South Pasadena police officers reported the suspect attempted, more than once, to escape custody and flee.

Ultimately Pasadena Police took custody of the suspect, whom they arrested and booked on suspicion of strong arm robbery. He has been identified as Travante Dejohnette, 31, of Los Angeles.

The stolen iPhone was recovered.

Meanwhile, Dejohnette remains behind bars at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Inmate Reception Center in lieu of $50,000 bail.