Perhaps a tip jar at Starbucks just shouldn’t be. I believe people earn and deserve tips, but perhaps the employees should be paid more a small raise in salary would be better than a tip jar someone feels they have the right to take. What seemed like a good idea, a barista tip jar in the world in which we live gives way to violence, because “tolerance” of all types of behavior exists and as someone pointed out this kid thought he was going to get away with it. He probably has gotten away with so many behaviors like this that he had no idea that when he took this jar, sped away, and killed a man that this time his small misbehavior will lead I hope to large consequences. This kid killed a man. His actions deserve punishment, because he obviously could afford the drink at Starbucks, a car to drive, and his devient behavior is no joke.

NO.

It was just money. If lives were in danger thats a different story but to stop a stupid tip jar from being stolen NO WAY.

Life is WAY WAY too precious to throw it away.

Money can be replaced,
but when a life is gone ITS GONE FOR GOOD!!!

You bet your butt! I would have tried to do it before they got out of the store.

I agree with RS — those tip jars should be removed from each and every Starbucks store. It really bothers me that this fine man gave up his life for what…a couple of dollars that’s going to be divided up among a bunch of overly-outgoing latte waiters?! I think the whole tip jar thing is extremely tacky. It’s along the lines of having dollar dances at wedding receptions. Does this corporation really like the impression it gives off — a store full of young people looking for handouts? Not that I’m shifting the blame for this senseless crime away from the thiefs…they should definitely be charged with murder…but I think that the responsible thing for Starbucks to do is to re-examine it’s policy and remove the tip jars. Don’t even create the temptation.

(If I were an employee of that particular location, I would be sick to my stomach with guilt knowing someone gave up their life for my portion of those few meager dollars in the jar.)

Wow…. I just found out that the gentleman that tried to stop these thieves died this morning. He is a hero in my opinion and he took a stand for what he believed was right! I know stopping someone for stealing a few dollors seems insignifigant to some, but it is the principle of it all. We all say things that we would have done or should have done, but he did and he gets my praise for taking a stand!
I hope that if I was ever in a situation like this one , that I would react with the same courage that he did. I pray that his family stays strong, and that someone reconizes these kids and they are caught.

I also grew up with the Kreutz family and to know them is to understand why he did this extraordinary gesture. Each one of those boys is just simply NICE. To act selflessly is just something that they do. It is instictive. They certainly aren’t the kind to demonstrate brute force and I am confident that Roger did not intend to put his life on the line. He was run down and killed while trying to do the right thing. Was it senseless? Absolutely. Was this consistent with the way he lived his life? Certainly. Roger, along with any of his brothers are simply decent human beings who witnessed a wrong and wanted to do what was right. I would love to think that any of us would do the same but know that we would not. To call him a hero is not a stretch - because he did what most people would not. And sadly he was murdered for it. I grieve for the family and those who loved him.

No, I would not. Get the license # and call 911. It is just not worth the risk. My prayers are with his family and I hope that the two are caught and get lengthy sentences. All for $10.00.

I find it interesting that some people seem to putting the blame onto Starbucks and the employees for even having the tip jar out there. Granted I don’t think they need a tip jar, mcdonalds doesn’t have one, but if the kids working can get a few extra bucks, I say go for it. I mean chances are that the workers are college/high school kids.

The two people that robbed the Starbucks are not kids. They are not teenagers. They are MURDERS. An innocent man has died because they decided to ROB Starbucks. I am sure that they did not plan to kill anyone during their robbery but someone has died.

jtg61

Your line of reasoning in post 44 is the reason people commit crimes. They know no one is going to stand up for what’s right. You deal w/ a bully by punching them, not praising or submitting to them. Get a backbone.