SLO man arrested after vandalizing cafe, threatening to kill employees, police say
A San Luis Obispo man was arrested for allegedly threatening employees at a local business on Thursday, according to a San Luis Obispo Police Department.
Police said the man, identified as 54-year-old Joseph Anthony Quinn, entered the business at approximately 7:14 a.m. and threatened to kill the employees, while knocking over large glass display cabinets.
Officers were unable to locate the suspect, who left on foot before police arrived, the release said.
On Friday, police located Quinn on Osos and Palm streets, the release said.
Police said he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and criminal threats.
As of Sunday, he was being held at San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Linnaea’s Cafe confirmed it was the business that Quinn allegedly targeted.
According to the Facebook post, Quinn had been removed from the cafe by police a few weeks prior and returned several times.
On Wednesday morning, Linnaea’s Cafe said, Quinn returned and “immediately began verbally assaulting our staff and clientele.”
The situation “quickly escalated to violence,” Linnaea’s Cafe said, and Quinn pushed over a glass pastry case over the bar near the baristas.
“The baristas were physically unharmed and able to call the police,” the cafe said in the post.
“We are dedicated to keeping Linnaea’s Cafe a safe place for all,” the post read. “It’s always been a space by the SLO community, for the SLO community, and I promise you we aren’t going anywhere.”
