A jury has found 19-year-old Ezekiel Guerrero guilty of trying to kidnap a barista at a Lakewood bikini espresso stand, more than a year after police say he grabbed the woman's arm and tried to drag her through the drive-thru window before speeding off. The verdict came down this week, closing out a case built largely on a signed credit-card receipt Guerrero left behind at the scene.
According to KIRO 7 News Seattle, the jury returned its guilty verdict on Wednesday, finding that Guerrero had attempted to kidnap the barista at Ladybug Bikini Espresso. The outlet reports that his sentencing has been scheduled for November 20.
Drive-Thru Encounter Turned Violent
The attack happened on August 18, 2025, when Guerrero pulled up to the Ladybug Bikini Espresso drive-thru in Lakewood to order a drink, according to fox13seattle.com. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed him violently grab the barista's arm and try to pull her into his open vehicle window, the station reported. Officers who responded found the barista “frantic” and “genuinely frightened,” with red marks left on her wrist, arm and shoulder, per the same report.
The barista managed to brace herself against the window frame during the struggle, according to kbtx.com, and Guerrero let go of her and drove off before officers arrived. That account states he fled the scene almost immediately after releasing his grip.
A Receipt and Traffic Cameras Cracked the Case
Guerrero didn't get far without leaving a trail. Police say he left behind a signed credit card receipt at the stand, and his vehicle was also caught on Flock surveillance cameras, fox13seattle.com reported — details that allowed detectives to identify and track him down. Those two pieces of evidence became central to building the case against him.
When detectives caught up with Guerrero, he admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana on the night of the attack, per the same report. He also told police he was drunk and high at the time, following a fight with his ex-girlfriend, according to kbtx.com's reporting on the investigation.
What Comes Next
With the guilty verdict now in, Guerrero is set to be sentenced on November 20, as reported by KIRO 7. Washington law defines first-degree kidnapping as intentionally abducting another person with intent that can include holding them for ransom, reward, or as a shield or hostage, according to the Washington State Legislature. Separately, state law also makes clear that it is no defense to an attempt charge that the crime was factually or legally impossible under the circumstances, per the Washington State Legislature's statute on criminal attempt.
The case drew attention in the Lakewood community both for the brazen nature of the attack at a roadside coffee stand and for how quickly a routine transaction record helped investigators close in on a suspect. For now, the only certainty is the date on the calendar: a courtroom in Pierce County will reconvene next month to determine what Guerrero's conviction will cost him.
