British Indie Band Sports Team Faces Armed Robbery in Vallejo, California

Reported by CBS San Francisco

While taking a break for coffee at a Starbucks in Vallejo, California, a British indie-rock group fell victim to an armed theft on the first morning of their U.S. tour. According to the band, valuable personal items were stolen from their van during the heist.

Footage captured on a mobile device shows a thief removing belongings from the van while an onlooker incessantly urges another person to 'call the police!' and 'hit the ground!'

The recorded incident took place at the Starbucks and adjacent gas station at 199 Lincoln Rd. West in Vallejo.

The accompanying video text expressed dismay: 'Held at gunpoint just minutes into our US tour. We were grabbed for coffee when someone burst in, saying a van was under attack. We rushed out to discover masked men dismantling the van and yelled at them, causing them to brandish a firearm.'

The footage shows an armed individual seemingly threatening the tour manager as band members quickly retreat into the café. Shouts from inside urge patrons to remain indoors, while exclamations about stolen items such as bags and a laptop ring out.

Identified from reports, Sports Team – a band with two UK top 10 albums – lost passports, performance equipment, and other personal belongings during the event around 8:45 in the morning.

Originally, they were slated to start performing in San Francisco at the Kilowatt Monday evening, but a flight cancellation from the UK caused a postponement. Thus, their tour commenced elsewhere. En route to play in Sacramento, the robbery unfolded.

The band disclosed that the police 'advised filing an online report.' Although much personal equipment was taken, their musical instruments remained intact, allowing them to continue to Sacramento for the night's performance, as shared in an Instagram post.

Efforts by CBS News Bay Area to obtain a statement from the Vallejo Police Department have yet to receive a response.

Although the social media post attempted humor, it was evident the band was both startled and unnerved by the encounter.

The post concluded somberly: 'Truly shocking how everyone seems accustomed to such incidents. “It just happens.” Didn’t expect to see this at a gas station Starbucks at 9 AM. Unreal.'