A former Starbucks employee in Park Ridge, New Jersey, has been charged with spitting in the drinks of police officers, according to a news release from the department.
Kevin A. Trejo, 21, of Westwood, NJ, was arrested and charged Monday with subjecting a law enforcement officer to contact with bodily fluid; knowingly tampering with a cup of coffee knowing it was ordered by a law enforcement officer; and creating a hazardous or physically dangerous condition, the release from the Park Ridge Police Department says.
The investigation was sparked by a tip the department received last week that an employee at the coffee shop was spitting in the drinks of officers that visited the shop. An investigation confirmed the tip, the release said. There was no word on how long Trejo may have been spitting in officers' drinks, or how many he tainted.
Multiple police officers at the station are being tested for COVID-19 out of an abundance of caution.
Park Ridge Police Chief Joseph Madden thanked the management of the establishment in the release for their cooperation and said the incident appeared to be isolated and only involved Trejo.
"We have apologized to the Park Ridge Police Department. We want everyone who comes into our stores to receive a positive experience and when that doesn't occur, we move quickly to address it and hold ourselves accountable. We will continue to support Park Ridge Police in their investigation and have a deep respect for the Park Ridge Police Department and the officers who help keep our partners and communities safe," a Starbucks spokesperson said.
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