Police investigate assault outside Center City Starbucks

PHILADELPHIA, PA (WTXF) - Philadelphia Police are investigating an incident outside a Center City Starbucks.

Witness Tony Bennett was getting coffee Monday morning around 9 when he saw two women at the counter getting into an argument over a coffee stirrer.

Moments later, police say one woman wearing pink pants, carrying a pink bag, takes the lid off her coffee cup, puts it in her bag, and tossed the scalding hot cup of joe right in the face of a 54-year-old woman who was on her way to work.

"It was confrontational. I seen a taller lady bullying a smaller lady." Tony told FOX 29.

Police say the incident continues as the suspect throws punches. The victim's hair is pulled and is thrown to the ground before a passerby separated the women, according to police.

Police say the victim was sent to the hospital with a number of injuries including burns to her face.

"A lot of times you get coffee from these establishments that you can't drink because it's so hot so imagine that being thrown in your face," said Philadelphia Police Lt. Jon Stanford.

FOX 29 showed the video to several Starbucks customers. They were shocked that something so seemingly trivial turned so violent.

Police describe the suspect as a black female, mid 40 years-of-age, dark complected, 5'10", 130lbs, wearing pink pants, and carrying a pink bag.

Police say they are also looking at surveillance video from inside the Starbucks.

If you recognize the woman, please call 215.686.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.