Former New Jersey Starbucks Employee Arrested for Allegedly Spitting in Police Officers’ Drinks

A former 21-year-old Starbucks employee from New Jersey was recently arrested after allegedly spitting in the drinks of law enforcement officers, according to a news report.

What We Know:

• According to a release from Park Ridge Police Department (PRPD), Kevin A. Trejo, was charged Monday under three counts: subjecting a law enforcement officer to contact with bodily fluid, knowingly tampering with the coffee of the other law enforcement officers, and creating a hazardous or physically dangerous condition.
• Apparently, police rcently received a tip last week about the incident that occurred on May 25^th, said Capt. Joseph Rampolla of the PRPD. They received information that an employee at a Park Ridge Starbucks location was spitting in the drinks of officers and further investigation confirmed that.
• Park Ridge Police Chief Joseph Madden commended the establishment’s management for their swift cooperation and concluded that this incident was completely isolated to Trejo.

NJ State PBA President calls outrageous the actions of the 21 year old @Starbucks worker. "Every time I think we as society hit bottom, there is a new incident. Officers risk their lives daily, it shouldn't be while getting coffee."
Kevin Trejo charged spitting in cops coffee. pic.twitter.com/WG4XkIAOvL

— New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) July 21, 2020

• A Starbucks spokesperson stated, “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”.
• Even after Trejo’s charges earlier this week, the Starbucks location made it clear that they will continue to support the PRPD as they have a “deep respect for the Park Ridge Police Department and the officers who help keep our partners and communities safe”.
• Moreover, Starbucks officials called the young man’s behavior “reprehensible” and local customers simply found it disgusting. The suspect has since been terminated from his position as soon as the investigation was launched by the company

As of Wednesday afternoon, no further comments or motives have come up as to why Trejo committed these unhygienic acts toward the city’s police officers.