Holiday spirit didn’t deter one man from robbing East Bay cafe, police say

CASTRO VALLEY — It was the night before Christmas, and while many throughout the Bay Area might’ve been hanging their stockings with care, at least one man was apparently out to make a quick buck.

At 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, the suspect walked into the Quickly tea cafe on the 20800 block of Redwood Road in Castro Valley, with a mask over his face and a gun in hand. He then gave a holiday-themed warning for the clerks, police said.

“I don’t want to have to kill anyone on Christmas,” he told them, according to police.

The man allegedly made two employees open the register and a safe in the back, and told them to lie on the floor, police said. He left with about $400, according to authorities.

Police are still working to arrest and charge him. Two days after the robbery — on Boxing Day — police chased the suspect vehicle through Berkeley, but the driver got away, authorities said. Thus far, the man they believe to be responsible hasn’t been charged, court records show.