British indie rock band Sports Team faced a terrifying start to their U.S. tour when armed robbers targeted their tour van in Vallejo, California, just minutes after beginning their journey.
The incident occurred early morning on December 3, 2024, when the band stopped for coffee at a Starbucks located at a gas station. What should have been a routine coffee break turned into a nightmare when masked individuals began breaking into their tour van.
Band members were alerted by someone bursting into the Starbucks, warning them about the ongoing robbery. When they rushed outside, they were confronted by armed thieves ransacking their vehicle. The band was forced to retreat to safety inside the café after the robbers brandished guns.
The thieves made off with personal belongings including cameras, laptops, and Nintendo Switch consoles. Fortunately, all musical instruments remained secure in the van's reinforced back compartment.
"It was pretty shocking how resigned everyone seemed to be to it," drummer Al Greenwood told media outlets, noting the surprisingly calm reaction from bystanders. "'It happens' - at 9 am at some petrol station Starbucks. Wild."
Adding to the band's frustration, local law enforcement in Vallejo advised them to file an online report rather than dispatching officers to the scene.
Despite the harrowing experience, Sports Team - known for their two top-10 albums in the UK - demonstrated remarkable resilience. They proceeded with their scheduled performance at Sacramento's Goldfield Trading Post later that evening.
"They can take our Nintendo Switches but they can never take our ability to play rock songs about motorways," the band posted on social media, maintaining their characteristic humor in the face of adversity.
The six-member group continues their planned U.S. tour with support from friends and fans offering assistance along the way.