Daniel Grant v. Starbucks Corporation

I. BACKGROUND

A. Factual Background On November 5, 2017, Plaintiff and his brother, Michael Grant, went to the Starbucks located at 12770 South Hawthorne Boulevard, Hawthorne, CA 90503. (Compl. ¶ 8, ECF No. 1, Ex. 4.) As Plaintiff and Michael walked to their car, they heard a Starbucks employee, Jacqueline Cruz, accuse the two of breaking into her vehicle. (Compl. ¶ 9.) Cruz disregarded Michael's attempt to show Cruz that he possessed the keys to the car and that Michael in fact owned the car. (Compl. ¶ 10.) Cruz "stated aloud" that she was going to call the police to report that Plaintiff and Michael were stealing "her vehicle." (Compl. ¶ 11.) While the two waited for the police to arrive, Plaintiff sat inside the car and Michael waited on the car's bumper. (Compl. ¶ 12.) Plaintiff alleges he did not feel free to leave until the police arrived. (Compl. ¶ 15.) The Hawthorne Police Department arrived on the scene. (Compl. ¶¶ 13, 16.) The police officers surrounded the vehicle and allegedly "pointed their firearms at Plaintiff and his [sic] Michael." (Compl. ¶ 16.) Plaintiff feared for his life and followed the officers' orders to remain in the…