Assault at Roy’s Station Coffee and Tea in San Jose
A co-owner of Roy’s Station Coffee and Tea was beaten with a metal torch while opening the family business early Tuesday morning in San Jose’s Japantown, according to an NBC Bay Area report. At approximately 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jasmine Rast got to the shop and was taking items out of her car when she spotted a man on an e-bike riding through the driveway. Rast confronted him, stating it was private property, after experiencing repeated problems with vandalism behind the establishment.
The suspect immediately charged at Rast, who attempted to run away before he caught up to her, she said. The attacker struck her repeatedly with a metal torch, with the first hit in the back of her head. Rast fought back by swinging her arms and using a metal water bottle. Her screams alerted her father and brother, who rushed to her aid as the family called the police. Authorities took the suspect into custody and booked him into jail.
Family Demands State-Level Accountability
The violent incident marks the latest in a pattern of security challenges for the family-run Japantown business. Over twelve months before the assault occurred, Tamiko Rast—Jasmine’s sister—participated in a press event alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who was advancing a measure that could mandate individuals experiencing homelessness to accept services and shelter or face potential penalties.
Following the Tuesday morning attack, Tamiko Rast voiced frustration with the local justice system.
The judiciary system is not holding people accountable, these individuals are not staying in jail long enough to feel any remorse or any consequence for their actions, so I want to see this change on a state level so that we actually have some protection,
Tamiko Rast said.
While Tamiko Rast noted that police have been responsive to the family’s calls, she stated that officers informed her the man arrested Tuesday had been arrested 10 days earlier, then released. NBC Bay Area was unable to independently verify the previous arrest record.
City Officials Address Repeat Offender Concerns
Mayor Matt Mahan’s Office confirmed that the mayor is in touch with the District Attorney’s Office about this case.
There is a real human cost when we allow repeat offenders to cycle in and out of jail without meaningful intervention,
Mayor Mahan said. Our state and county leaders need to fully implement prop 36 so repeat offenders face real consequences – for some – that’s treatment. And for others, that’s time behind bars.
Representing Councilmember Anthony Tordillos’s Office, officials stated that he has been in communication with the relatives and that his staff stays fully dedicated to pursuing a secure district three for local inhabitants.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Japantown Attack
What time did the attack at Roy’s Station Coffee and Tea occur?
Jasmine Rast arrived at the coffee shop at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday to open the business when the confrontation and subsequent assault took place.
How was the co-owner injured during the incident?
The suspect struck Rast repeatedly with a metal torch after she confronted him for riding an e-bike through the private property’s driveway, with the first hit in the back of her head.
What weapon did the victim use to defend herself?
Rast used a metal water bottle to swing at the attacker and defend herself until her screams brought her father and brother running to help.
What legislative measure did Mayor Matt Mahan cite in response?
Mayor Mahan pointed to Proposition 36, stating that state and county leaders need to fully implement the measure so that repeat offenders face real consequences, with some facing treatment and others time behind bars.