Police: Indiana County woman cited after mask incident at Giant Eagle

An Indiana County woman was cited this week after state police said she yelled profanities at employees and pushed a shopping cart into a produce display after refusing to wear a mask inside a Giant Eagle.

Troopers said they were called Sunday to the grocery store on Ben Franklin Road in White Township after the 41-year-old Clymer woman refused requests by multiple employees and caused a disturbance.

She continued to yell profanities as she left the store around noon, according to police. There was no damage to the display, police said. She was cited Wednesday with disorderly conduct. A summons has been issued and no court date has been set.

More than 30 lawsuits have been filed against the grocery chain over its mask policy. Plaintiffs are claiming it is discriminatory under the Americans with Disabilities Act. They reported employees yelling at them and escorting them from stores after they tried to shop without masks.

The lawsuits argue Giant Eagle’s policy goes beyond a requirement by state government and health officials for masks in public places in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The grocer has not publicly commented on the suits.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s order says children and people with disabilities don’t have to wear one nor prove a medical condition. The state policy was set in mid-April.