Woman suspected of stealing from barista tip jar leads Oakley police on 7-mile pursuit

OAKLEY — A woman led police on a 7-mile pursuit after baristas at a drive-thru coffee shop say she stole their tip money Wednesday morning.

The woman and her Ford Focus made a strident entrance to the Caffino store on Main Street in Oakley shortly after 9 a.m. Employees heard honking as she drove in through the drive-thru exit and pulled up to the window.

"She wanted the biggest, largest, blackest coffee we have and she wanted it right now," said Kim Yoda, a store manager. "I said, 'Well, first hon, you're going to have to move your car because it's pointed in the wrong direction.'"

Yoda said the woman, apparently angered by the remarks, reached into the window and grabbed the tip jar, taking about $15 in cash while throwing the jar to the ground, where it smashed. The woman told the baristas she was going to get her coffee and gas elsewhere, offering one of the dollar bills back before she sped off, again in the wrong direction.

"She said she was actually going to come back," Yoda said. "I guess to give us the rest of the tips."

Employees called police, who began pursuing the car as it cruised down Main Street. Oakley police Sgt. Jeff Billeci said the driver refused to pull over.

She never drove much faster than the speed limit, but "she did run some stop signs and some stoplights," Billeci said.

Billeci said the driver, Oakley resident Denise Silva, finally pulled over outside Liberty High School in Brentwood, where she was arrested on charges of petty theft, reckless driving and evading the police. Billeci said she was apologetic, but refused to answer questions about what she was doing.

Thanks to cocotimes for the info.