Camden County Officer Removed From Duty For Alleged Lewd Act In Starbucks
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) – A Camden County Police Lieutenant has been removed from duty after he was accused of masturbating inside of a Starbucks in Cherry Hill.
Lt. Benito Gonzalez Junior has been charged with a disorderly persons lewdness offense.
An employee from a store on Route 70 reported the incident to authorities on May 7.
Officials say the officer was not on duty at the time.
Police have launched a criminal and internal investigation and the department says they are "troubled" by the allegations.
Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson says, "We are deeply troubled by the allegations of this off-duty conduct. A swift and thorough investigation is being conducted. We are working to ascertain all of the facts in this matter with Cherry Hill Police Department and the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. The officer has been removed from duty and suspended without pay."
Gonzalez is due in court June 4.