A former Starbucks employee in New Jersey is facing charges after police say he spit in the drinks of local officers.
According to NBC New York, Kevin, a 21 year old man, was charged with subjecting a law enforcement officer to contact with bodily fluid, tampering with a cup of coffee he knew an officer had ordered, and creating a hazardous or physically dangerous condition. CNN reports the alleged incident happened around May 25 at a Starbucks in Park Ridge, and that police received a tip about a week before the charges were filed. The charges are allegations, and no attorney for him had been identified in early reports.
Park Ridge Police said an investigation confirmed that an employee had been spitting in officers’ drinks. Police said it is unclear how long it went on or why officers were targeted. Chief Joseph Madden thanked store management for cooperating and said the incident appears to be isolated and limited to this one employee.
Starbucks told News 4 that the behavior was reprehensible and not a reflection of how its employees treat customers. The company apologized to the Park Ridge Police Department, said he is no longer with the company, and promised to support the investigation.
Because it is hard to tell which officers may have been exposed, Capt. Joseph Rampolla said several officers will be tested for COVID 19 as a precaution. He said the department’s concern is officer safety.
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