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SeattleCrime: Caffe Vita pizza and coffee mogul charged with assault, DUI, and hit and run

Our partners at SeattleCrime are reporting that Michael McConnell, owner of the Caffe Vita and Via Tribulani chains and one of the kings of Pike/Pine has been charged with assault, DUI, and hit and run charges after he allegedly crashed into, and then attacked, another motorist near Seattle University last week:


 


McConnell in a Vita promo shot (far right)
tsb 109
Originally uploaded by Caffe Vita

According to a police report, a man told police he was sitting in his car waiting for the light at James St and Broadway at about 6:00pm on March 31st when black Mercedes, apparently occupied by McConnell, crashed into him from behind.

Both drivers pulled off of the road but, the report says, but McConnell refused to give the victim his information. The report notes the victim smelled alcohol on McConnell’s breath.

McConnell’s attorney—who was driving another vehicle behind McConnell—tried to intervene, the police report says, and told the victim “they would give him $1,500 to pay for the vehicle damages and not call police.”

And that’s when it started getting even more interesting, reports SeattleCrime. Crime reports that McConnell has entered a not guilty plea on all charges, according to court documents. Hop over to SeattleCrime for the full report.

McConnell’s pizza and coffee empire recently expanded to Pioneer Square where the businesses are managed by his son, Chris. The elder McConnell is also behind the new pizza restaurant taking shape next to E. Pike’s Caffe Vita location. Expanding its caffeine-laden offerings, Vita was recently approved for a license to serve beer and wine.

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Scott Ritter
Scott Ritter
13 years ago

Support your local entrepreneurs! This is the downside of feeding the egos of local “businessmen”. They get big heads and think they are above the law. Welcome to liberalism.

wowzer
wowzer
13 years ago

look at you now sucka! this dood is always peeling out and showing off and grandstanding thru the town, i am SOOO glad he finally gets a lil attention on the dirt he does. who the hell cruises around with their “attorney” all the time anyways?? this douche ALWAYS talks bout being above the law and how he owns the city. ugh…i can see this jerk getting away with it based on some technicality though…too many people “owe” him favors for this to actually pan out.

mmariano
mmariano
13 years ago

Bummer…and I liked Vita coffee. Now where? Do we count Stumptown as local now?

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13 years ago

Only if you count Starbucks as local too.

halis
halis
13 years ago

It’s illegal to compromise a criminal claim by a settlement offer. That ass clown attorney shoudl have known that.

halis
halis
13 years ago

And I shouldn’t type so dyslexically.

James
James
13 years ago

This whole article is only based on a police report therefore only shining light on ONE side of the story. You can’t make a good judgment based on such little information. All we have is a victim’s account of the situation for whom we know nothing of. This victim is making tall accusations with close to no evidence and no established credibility. Before all you judgmental Seattleites go casting stones you should consider the amount of first-hand information you know regarding this incident; none.

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13 years ago

Aren’t you making a judgement yourself?

Uncle Vinny
Uncle Vinny
13 years ago

Liberalism?! That’s a tough case to make — not that I’m encouraging you to try to make it.

Liam
Liam
13 years ago

The HELL does this have to do with liberalism?

Vita Lover
Vita Lover
13 years ago

TOTALLY!!!! I agree with you Horses. The story is 100% one sided. I’ve attended plenty of fundraisers that Vita has contributed to and even sponsored. Where are the write ups about those?! It’s a shame that we all jump to spit on the rich guy that gets mud thrown at him. Mike McConnell does lots for Seattle – and his coffee is good too!

mlee
mlee
13 years ago

This is one half of a story. What kind of car did the other guy drive? We don’t know, but it’s noted that MM was in a Mercedes… This is just one piece of slant in this story. Plain irresponsibly written, and repeated, throughout the bottomfeeding press in this town.

We all live in a glass house at some point. I hope you all get your trial on a blog, too. Funny, when I see Vita’s name around town, it’s always involved in cultural events and charities…

We all deserve due process.

Chs
Chs
13 years ago

You are also making big assumptions that someone involved in cultural events can do no wrong. I am not sure why you believe all of what the media tells you is good about him but not what may be bad.

Coffee Forever
Coffee Forever
13 years ago

DOUCHEBAG.

robhill
robhill
13 years ago

The comparison of Stumptown to Starbucks is ridiculous. Stumptown serves a good product, as does local business Espresso Vivace! Vivace’s owner is a fanatic about serving the best espresso possible and his team members take painstaking efforts to meet his expectations.

Alex
Alex
13 years ago

Bauhaus and Victrola, hands down

Jeremy
Jeremy
13 years ago

what’s going on with Mike McConnels DUI and assault trial?