Body Found In Starbucks Bathroom In Newark: Cops

This Starbucks was celebrated for returning to the downtown of a city that's trying to rebuild itself. Then came a horrific discovery on Wednesday.

The body of a 49-year-old man was found Wednesday inside a Starbucks bathroom in Newark, according to police.

The unresponsive man, who was not identified, was found inside the restroom of Starbucks located at 687 Broad St. in Newark on Wednesday night, police said.

The incident happened shortly after 10 p.m., when police responded to the coffee shop on a call of a sick and injured person.

Employees reported that a man had entered the restroom and did not exit nor respond to employees’ calls concerning his well-being, police said.

The officers, along with members of EMS, discovered the man inside the bathroom, but were unable to resuscitate him. The man was pronounced dead at 10:19 p.m., police said.

This incident remains under investigation.

The incident happened at a Starbucks that was hailed as the company's return to Broad Street in Newark three years ago.

The chain had closed its store at 744 Broad Street in 2008 – leaving the city's sole remaining Starbucks on the fringes of the municipality and out of reach of non-commuters. Even a plea from then-Mayor Cory Booker couldn't change the corporation's mind.

Read more: Starbucks Returns To Broad Street In Newark

"The opening of a Starbucks is big news because it's an affirmation that corporate America finally recognizes Newark is no longer a city to be redlined," Newark Inc. wrote.

Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.

Anonymous tips may also be made using the Police Division’s website at: www.newarkpd.org or through our new Smartphone App available at iTunes or on Google Play. Search Newark Police Division to download the App.

This is a developing story. Patch will provide more information as it becomes available.

Google Earth photo of Starbucks in Newark