Napa Police: No Hate Crime Evidence in Starbucks Noose Incident

UPDATE: 4 p.m., March 6, 2013.

Napa police say they are haven't found any evidence of a hate crime in connection with the discovery of a small noose in the men's bathroom at Starbucks last week.

"At this point in time, we haven't found anything that would indicate a hate crime," said Napa Police Capt. Jeff Troendly on Wednesday. "There were no notes, nothing derogatory posted, and nothing specific directed to anyone or anybody regarding race, gender, sexuality or anything else."

Troendly said a small nylon noose was found hanging from a door jamb in the men's bathroom Thursday night. A customer saw it and called in an employee. The store then contacted police.

Troendly said some people initially were speculating at the time that it might be a hate crime.

However, later on, when police conducted their investigation and interviewed the employees in the store, there were no reports of any issues with customers or anyone else that could have generated such an incident.

Police are closing the investigation at the present time, Troendly said.

"We have no where else to go with it," he added.

ORIGINAL STORY: 12:18 a.m. March 5, 2013.

Napa police said the discovery of a noose in the men's bathroom at Starbucks at First and Main streets in downtown Napa is being investigated as a hate crime.

According to KTVU.com, the noose was found by a customer Thursday evening at the popular cafe.

To read the article, click here.

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