On Friday morning around 6:45 a.m., a man walked into Carlin’s Cafe and attempted to steal a backpack from a customer. But cafe employee Nick Grant pounced to stop him before he could walk out.
Security camera footage shared with Mission Local shows the man, wearing a black hoodie and a mask, walking into the cafe at 14th and Valencia streets. As soon as he grabs a customer’s backpack from the bench, Grant is seen running toward him, ramming a service cart into him and tackling him to the ground.
During the altercation that ensued, the suspect pepper-sprayed Grant and the customer. Eventually, Grant held the suspect down on the floor, lying on top of him, and remained in place for about six minutes, until police officers arrived at the scene.
No one was seriously injured.
“Luckily, I had the background and training to be that right guy at the right time,” said Grant, who added that he was raised by U.S. Marines.
According to the San Francisco Police Department, the suspect was transported to the hospital for injuries unrelated to the incident. He was later booked and transported to San Francisco County Jail.
The following morning, Grant returned to Carlin’s for the opening shift and welcomed the same regular customer again, as well as a customer who was a bystander to Friday’s incident. “Before yesterday I just knew him as ‘ham egg and bagel guy’,” said Grant. “Now it’s a first name basis.”
“He [Grant] didn’t want to take the day off. I tried to make him,” said Matt Carlin, the cafe’s owner, who lauded Grant for protecting the customer.
“He was protecting a customer who was being assaulted with bear mace,” said Carlin. “We need more people like him.”
Cheers Grant. We need more people like you in this world and less of this thieving scum.
From the Chronicle:
“Police identified the suspect as Amir Moner, 42, of Concord. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery, using tear gas and violating probation, plus outstanding warrants.”
Warrants plural. I wonder how many second, third, and fourth chances this guy has gotten.
nice to see him working the body with the right hand
that guy didn’t have a chance! Counter Man tossed him to the floor like a sack of flour!
Welcome to San Francisco in 2024, where people feel empowered to walk into a coffee shop and saunter out casually with a patron’s backpack and act surprised when someone does something about it.
How did it come to this?
Wow..good job to get the police to eventually come and help..they like to stay at the station and not take risk but do overtime..I will stop by that cafe, the guy is a gem.
Yeah, cops were great here,
We are 4 blocks from Mission Precinct and I was doing exercises in my triple bay overlooking the cafe (think ‘Die Hard’ Airport version) when first car swept up to corner cafe coming wrong way up vacant street (they were on patrol. 3 more cars joined within a minute or two (these robbers usually have accomplice – store was robbed just couple of months ago and they took out entire front 10×12 pane – month before that Carlins took ATM outta laundry as precaution during epidemic of robbers driving cars thru doors)
Watch entire 6 minutes and this guy got in buncha swipes with the bear mace but our hero (Steelers fan) fought right past it and guy walking by came in and helped Nick restrain the guy who had warrants across bridge.
Carlins don’t rattle either. They had saloons on the Embarcadero during dock riots in 1930’s.
Cops told Nick he should apply for SFPD and I certainly agree.
He’s 35, is that too old for Rookie who not only can fight but has great personality?
Go Niners, yes we still love you even more !!
h.
My wife and I will come by for breakfast at our earliest opportunity.
Protect (your customers) & Serve (a great cup of coffee)!
Well done, Nick Grant!
Yeah !!
I live upstairs in Carlin’s apts which is largely a 36 unit Vet place and Nick is buddy who took me into his home for Thanksgiving.
A real Good Samaritan on top of being gladiator !
(And, follows Clemson for me)
h.
Great job, Grant!