Fury over steaming hot coffee thrown over Melbourne cafe worker

A furious Melbourne business owner is on the hunt for an angry customer who threw a hot coffee over one of her staff.

The owner of a Melbourne drive-through cafe is on the hunt for an angry customer who threw a hot coffee on one of her staff members.

Security footage of the incident at Little Latte Drive Thru in Hoppers Crossing on Sunday showed the worker place two coffees on the order window, but one of the customers did not immediately walk away.

It appeared the worker then tried to encourage the woman to take the coffee from the window before the hot drink was shoved back onto the worker, splashing over her clothes and face, and spilling all over the counter.

Steam could be seen rising from the hot drink as the shocked worker wiped it from her eyes.

A worker at a Melbourne drive-through cafe has had a coffee thrown at her allegedly by an angry customer. Picture: Supplied

Ebony Spiteri, who owns the business, told news.com.au two women on foot were annoyed because they had to wait to be served. She explained the drive-through shop serves cars first and walk-ups in between or afterwards.

“The people in the car said ‘it’s OK, you can serve them’ because she was making a commotion,” Ms Spiteri said.

“So my staff served the two women at the window, served the car. She [the worker] put toasties down to cook and went to make the coffee. Literally not even two minutes [later], handed the women their coffee.”

Ms Spiteri said despite having been served, one of the women was still angry.

“She was still abusing my staff, carrying on and yelling. My staff was trying to say have a good day,” she said.

“She tapped my worker on the hand and then just threw the coffee at her. If she was sorry or it was an accident, she would have apologised and tried to help but she didn’t.”

Security footage showed the two customers walk away.

Security footage showed the customers walk away after the incident. Picture: Supplied

Ms Spiteri said she was not there at the time but her staff member called her saying she was “distraught” and that, while Ms Spiteri was on her way, the customers from the car comforted her inside the shop.

Now the business owner is on a mission to track down the customers involved.

“It is not OK to throw anything at anyone for any reason let alone a really hot drink, and especially at someone that is doing their job,” Ms Spiteri said.

She said her staff were on edge and she had taken over the afternoon shift this week as the worker involved was still shaken up.

She was assessed by paramedics at the time and was fortunately OK. Police were also called but the women had left the area before they arrived.

Victoria Police told news.com.au officers were “investigating the circumstances surrounding an unlawful assault”.

“The victim sustained minor scalds from the hot liquid and was treated at the scene,” a statement said.

“The pair fled in an unknown vehicle travelling south along Forsyth Road.

“Police have spoken to the victim and have a number of active and ongoing enquiries to make in relation to the women involved.”

Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information to contact Crime Stoppers.