Man Spraying Poison on Food at Michigan Grocery Stores Held

A man believed to have been spraying poison on food at several Michigan grocery stores for weeks has finally been apprehended, the FBI told the Detroit Free Press. but he had not been charged yet. 

The liquid spray reportedly contained mice poison, hand cleaner and water, noted the Free Press. The stores involved included Whole Foods and Meijers.

FBI representative Jill Washburn told MLive.com the suspect hadn't been charged and his name hasn't been released. The man was located in Ann Arbor, she said.

"Thanks to citizen tips, the suspect was apprehended by the Ann Arbor Police Department," said a statement from Michigan officials. "During interrogation, the suspect admitted to intentionally contaminating salad bars and/or produce sections of at least three grocery stores in the greater Ann Arbor area – Whole Foods, Meijer, Inc. and Plum Market – at least twice in the last month."

"The suspect claims to have sprayed the food with a mixture of a commercial mouse poison, alcohol-based hand-sanitizer and water. Samples have been sent for further laboratory analysis to determine concentration," said the statement.

Health officials told the Free Press they haven't received any reports of people becoming ill from possible contamination at stores in the Ann Arbor, Saline, Midland and Birch Run areas.

"Out of an abundance of caution and to protect public health and food safety, I encourage consumers to dispose of any foods purchased from salad bars, olive bars and ready-to-eat hot and cold food areas from these stores between mid-March and the end of April," said Jamie Clover Adams, Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development director.

"Although most of these types of foods may have already been eaten or disposed of, some may still be in refrigerators or freezers," she added.

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