Police have opened an investigation following reports that an off-duty police officer discovered a tampon in his Starbucks drink in what the Los Angeles Police Protective League called a “disgusting assault.”
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department will investigate the incident as an “alleged poisoning of food or drink at a local business,” Deputy Trina Schrader told the Daily Caller News Foundation Tuesday.
The incident occurred Friday afternoon and involved a 36-year-old white man at the 700 block of Grand Avenue in Diamond Bar, California, Schrader said. (RELATED: ‘No Criminality’ In Case Of NYPD Officers Sickened By Shake Shack Milkshakes, Police Investigating Cause)
Fox LA reporter Bill Melugin reported Monday that an off-duty officer, who was reportedly not wearing a police uniform, purchased a Starbucks Frappuccino at a Starbucks in a Diamond Bar Target Friday using his police union debit card. While drinking the beverage, the officer allegedly found a tampon in his drink.
“I’m told he used his police credit union debit card,” Melugin tweeted. “Sheriff’s Dept. confirms they took a report & they’re now investigating.”
BREAKING: Sources tell me an off duty LAPD officer allegedly found a tampon halfway thru his Frappuccino at a Starbucks in Diamond Bar on Friday. I’m told he used his police credit union debit card. Sheriff’s Dept. confirms they took a report & they’re now investigating. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/HdLTreNuur
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) June 23, 2020
“This disgusting assault on a police officer was carried out by someone with hatred in their heart and who lacks human decency,” the LAPPL told Fox LA. “We hope they are publicly exposed, fired, arrested, and prosecuted for their cowardly and repugnant actions.”
LASD reportedly pulled surveillance video and is reviewing this footage, Melugin tweeted, though the LASD refused to confirm this detail to the DCNF.
“I’m told the officer angrily went back inside to confront the staff once he made the discovery,” the reporter added.
Starbucks spokesman Reggie Borges told to the DCNF Tuesday afternoon that the incident occurred within a Target, “which makes this a licensed Starbucks store, so they are responsible for that store.”
“A Frappuccino is a blended drink, meaning it goes in the blender before it gets poured into a cup…just want to make sure you understand the process on that,” Borges added.
Target responded in a Tuesday afternoon statement in which the organization said that they turned over video footage to the police.
“We take this allegation seriously,” Target told the DCNF in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “We have reviewed video footage and have not found any suspicious behavior. We have shared the video with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and look forward to the conclusions of their investigation.”
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