Pa. grocery store dumps $35,000 worth of food after woman coughs on it

A grocery store in Hanover Township in Luzerne County said it dumped $35,000 worth of produce, meat, bread and other groceries after a woman coughed on the products.

Gerrity’s Supermarket posted on Facebook Wednesday that the woman, “who the police know to be a chronic problem in the community, came in to the store and proceeded to purposely cough on our fresh produce, and a small section of our bakery, meat case and grocery.”

The post, signed by Joe Fasula, co-owner of the market, said that employees got the woman out of the store as quickly as possible and police were called to the store.

He said that the District Attorney’s Office will pursue numerous charges.

The Hanover Township Police Department said the suspect has been identified and is being checked at a hospital for a mental health evaluation and criminal charges will be filed.

The post states that they do not believe the woman was infected by covid-19.

The dumped groceries were estimated to be over $35,000 and the store hopes insurance will cover the loss.

The store plans to restock everything for Thursday’s opening.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that individuals who intentionally spread the virus could be charged with terrorism for the “purposeful exposure and infection of others.”

Associated Press contributed to this report.