Benicia Coffee Company, the popular beverage stop in Parkway Plaza Shopping Center, 2036 Columbus Parkway, has a new door and some upset customers, angry that thieves would smash their way in, grab some cash and attempt to make away with some of the shop’s equipment.

But that’s what someone did Jan. 22, Benicia police Lt. Frank Hartig said.

After smashing through the coffee shop’s glass door, the thief or thieves ransacked the business, stole the business’s morning start-up money in the cash register and loaded up coffee, flavorings and equipment after trying to break into the establishment’s automated teller machine, Hartig said.

But besides the cash, the thieves didn’t get away with all of the loot, he said.

“For some reason, they left it behind,” Hartig said.

Brandon Mitchell, the store’s barista and cashier, was the first to see the damage when he arrived at 4:20 a.m. that morning. He said this week he didn’t realize at first there had been a break-in.

But then he stepped on the broken glass and heard a crunch, and realized that not only was the door broken but the store’s furniture had been moved around — and that coffee beans, blenders, grinders and other coffee-preparation equipment was missing.

Later, however, many of the items were found, Mitchell said.

“Most were undamaged,” he said. “A few had a couple of dents they didn’t have before.”

Nor were the thieves able to get into the ATM despite trying to break it apart, he said. But the door had to be replaced.

Mitchell said most of the store’s clientele are regular customers who consider Benicia Coffee Company a home away from home, and those stopping by after the break-in were angered by the incident.

“Most said, ‘I can’t believe that would happen,’” he said.

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