British indie rock band Sports Team faced a harrowing start to their US tour when armed robbers targeted their tour van in Vallejo, California on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred around 8:45 AM at a Starbucks where the band had stopped for breakfast. A passerby alerted the group that their white Sprinter van was being robbed in the parking lot. When band members rushed outside, they encountered masked thieves, one of whom brandished a gun at their tour manager Lauren, forcing everyone to retreat inside the coffee shop.
The robbers smashed the van's passenger window and stole personal belongings including passports, laptops, cameras, and in-ear monitors used for performances. Fortunately, the band's instruments remained secure in a fortified compartment at the back of the vehicle.
"The thing that struck me was the resignation. The people around us weren't very panicked at all. It seemed like a very everyday occurrence," said lead singer Alex Rice. Even the Starbucks staff calmly continued their shift after ensuring everyone's safety.
When contacted, local police advised the band to file an online report rather than dispatching officers to the scene. Despite losing crucial documents and equipment, Sports Team remained determined to continue their tour, starting with their scheduled show in Sacramento that evening.
The Mercury Prize-nominated band, known for their two UK top 10 albums, maintained a positive outlook. "We're definitely not going to let this put us off," said drummer Al Greenwood, though she noted the personal loss of her journal was particularly difficult.
The incident hasn't dampened the band's enthusiasm for their US tour, which includes a return to the Bay Area this Saturday. They plan to proceed with all scheduled performances while working with the British consulate to replace their stolen passports.
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