Teens To Blame In Starbucks Bombing?

Photograph at Third Avenue & East 92nd Street from 1010WINS

Police are continuing to investigate the low-grade explosive that detonated outside a Starbucks on the Upper East Side early yesterday morning. Authorities do not think the bomb is the work of terrorists and one resident of the Third Avenue at 92nd Street building, Issan Hage, told 1010 WINS, "I looked out the window and saw two kids running away. I believe it's just kids pissed off at Starbucks for selling coffee for $2."

Apparently surveillance video backs up Hage's suspicion; according to the Daily News, "Law enforcement sources said surveillance video from several blocks away shows two youths carrying what they believe were the explosives in a plastic container." The explosives were placed on or near a bench outside the coffee joint; the container was an energy drink container that held gunpowder.

The Post reports, "Probers were investigating a possible link between the terrifying explosion and another Starbucks bombing in Providence, RI, late on New Year's Eve. The coffee chain has incurred the wrath of self-proclaimed anarchists and other groups over its perceived anti-union activities and its treatment of coffee growers. It declined comment yesterday."

The police are also looking into whether the bombing is link to the other early morning bombings at the British Consulate, Mexican Consulate, and Times Square recruiting station. Mayor Bloomberg said, "You know, no real damage — certainly no injuries — could have killed somebody, so there’s somebody with a sick mind out there — maybe more than one. We’re looking for them."