Two patrons were robbed in broad daylight Saturday while dining on the patio of a Santa Monica pizzeria.
The unidentified customers — both men in their early twenties — were seated in front of Dagwoods (820 Wilshire Boulevard) around noon when they were approached by Jamar Daniels, 39.
“I noticed [him] walking up onto the patio and I thought, ‘Maybe he knows these people,’” assistant manager Christina Moy told The Sun.
Daniels allegedly told diners he was carrying a firearm.
Moments later he made off on a bicycle with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Two female patrons seated at a nearby table were unaware of the incident.
He was arrested Saturday afternoon at Christine Emerson Reed Park and charged with robbery and possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, the Santa Monica Police Department has confirmed.
Daniels had visited the restaurant two nights earlier and allegedly stole a tip jar with approximately $15 from the front counter.
>>READ ALSO: Dagwoods Donates Unsold Food To Area Shelters
Dagwoods — famous for its rainbow glitter unicorn pizza — has been a frequent target for crime. The restaurant was burglarized twice last spring. In one incident a suspect made off with a digital camera Apple Watch and wedding ring that belonged to an employee.
Management has since installed an upgraded security and video surveillance system.
“We want to keep our customers safe,” Moy said.
“I do feel slightly uneasy sometimes, but I know at the end of the day, I am safe at work because I have my other co workers there who would never let anything happen.
“I have been telling a lot of our customers — because they have seen and heard what’s been going on — I have been telling them, ‘I want you to be as safe as possible. We shouldn’t have to be walking around in fear.’”
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