Chicago cop finds 'large, thick piece of mucus' in his Dunkin' Donuts black coffee, outlet staffer arrested
Authorities arrested a former Dunkin’ Donuts employee in Chicago last week after a trooper reportedly found “a large, thick piece of mucus” floating on top of his cup of black coffee.
Illinois State Police said in a press release how an Illinois State Police District Chicago trooper had purchased a large cup of black coffee from the Dunkin’ Donuts shop at 6738 West Archer Avenue around 10.20 pm. The officer had removed the lid in a bid to cool down the "extremely hot" coffee when he noticed “a large, thick piece of mucus, which was later confirmed to be saliva, floating inside it,” Fox News reports.
The incident led to the arrest of 25-year-old Dunkin' employee Vincent J Sessler shortly before 1 pm on Friday, July 31. Authorities revealed that he had been charged with "disorderly conduct, reckless conduct, and battery to a peace officer" and was remanded in custody at the Chicago Police Department 8th District. “This is outrageous and disgusting. The men and women of the Illinois State Police put their heart and soul into protecting the lives and rights of all people in this state every day,” ISP Director Brendan F Kelly said in a statement. “They deserve better than this insulting and dangerous treatment. For their safety, ISP officers and employees will be prohibited from patronizing this location."
That said, Sessler has since been sacked from his position at the coffee and donut outlet.
“The type of behavior reported to us is inconsistent with the brand’s values. The franchise owner who independently owns and operates this restaurant informs us that he took immediate action to investigate the matter and terminated the individual responsible for this reprehensible behavior,” Dunkin’ told WMAQ-TV in a statement. “Dunkin’ has a deep appreciation for police officers who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, and the franchise owner has reached out directly to the officer to apologize for the experience."
Last month, a Starbucks barista was arrested and charged after he allegedly spat into the cups of multiple New Jersey police officers. Speaking to McClatchy News, a spokesperson for the coffee chain confirmed that 21-year-old Kevin Trejo was also fired from his position. “Every time I think we as a society hit bottom, there is a new incident,” Patrick Colligan, president of the New Jersey Policeman Benevolent Association, said. “Officers risk their lives daily, it shouldn’t be while getting coffee.”
Meanwhile, a Five Guys restaurant in Daphne, Alabama, fired and suspended employees after they reportedly denied service to three police officers. According to the officers, at least six or seven employees at the outlet turned their backs on them as they entered the franchise. “I’m not serving them," one of the employees reportedly remarked. The officers then left the restaurant to go to another diner.
There have been several cases of police officers being persecuted after mass protests broke out across the country following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Former Officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd's neck for nearly eight minutes, has been charged with second-degree murder and third-degree manslaughter. Three other officers involved in the arrest — Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and JA Kueng — have also been charged with aiding and abetting murder. If convicted, all four officers face 40-year terms in prison.