Warwick Cafe Owner Overwhelmed by Community Support After Theft

Donations to autistic shop owner Michael Coyne reach $900 after someone stole from his tip jar.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 8:40pm

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After someone stole money from the tip jar at his Rhode Island coffee shop, Red, White & Brew co-owner Michael Coyne was heartbroken. But when Coyne, who is autistic, and his mother shared the theft on social media, the community responded with an outpouring of support, donating around $900 in just two days to help make up for the loss.

Why it matters

The story highlights the resilience and generosity of a tight-knit community rallying behind a small business owner facing a difficult situation. It also sheds light on the challenges that individuals with autism and other disabilities can face in finding employment and running their own businesses.

The details

On March 4, Coyne noticed that only $2 remained in the tip jar at his Warwick coffee shop, Red, White & Brew, after he had earned around $20 in tips that day. Coyne, who is 29 or 30 years old, was more upset about the idea of a "friend" stealing from him than the loss of the cash. When Coyne and his mother, Sheila Coyne, shared the theft on social media, the community responded immediately, with customers and even people who hadn't ordered anything coming by to hand over cash "for Michael." In just two days, Coyne received around $900 in donations.

  • The theft occurred on March 4, 2026.
  • Coyne and his mother shared the incident on social media shortly after, prompting an outpouring of community support over the next two days.

The players

Michael Coyne

The 29- or 30-year-old co-owner of Red, White & Brew coffee shop in Warwick, Rhode Island, who is autistic and has ADHD and bipolar disorder. He opened the shop seven years ago after being turned down for restaurant jobs.

Sheila Coyne

Michael Coyne's mother, who helped share the theft incident on social media, leading to an outpouring of community support.

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What they’re saying

“That really hurt me. I was disappointed for sure.”

— Michael Coyne, Co-owner, Red, White & Brew

“It's like It's a Wonderful Life.”

— Sheila Coyne, Michael Coyne's mother

What’s next

Coyne plans to use some of the donated money to make car repairs and to find a way to pay the community's kindness forward.

The takeaway

The story demonstrates the power of community support and generosity, especially for small business owners facing challenges. It also highlights the importance of creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive in their own enterprises.