The viral video, posted to Twitter by a woman sitting in the shop, shows police speaking to -- and then arresting -- two men that the woman says were simply sitting in the Starbucks waiting for a third member of their party before ordering coffee.
The woman, author Melissa DePino, told media that both men were sitting at a table for less than 15 minutes before store employees called the cops. Both men left the store peacefully, but in handcuffs. Their friend, DePino reported, showed up around the same time the police did.
The men were finally released from custody hours later, according to DePino, who added that the pair were real estate brokers who were there for a friendly meeting.
Philadelphia's police commissioner said that his officers were doing "nothing wrong," and merely following the direction of Starbucks employees, who said the men were trespassing, and claimed both men had asked to use the bathroom but hadn't purchased a drink.