A 35-year-old Pennsylvania woman is facing multiple felony charges after police said she purposely coughed on $35,000 worth of food at a grocery store.
Hanover Township police said in a statement that a woman “intentionally contaminated” the food at the local Gerrity’s supermarket and she will be undergoing mental health evaluation/treatment while awaiting criminal charges.
Joe Fasula, the co-owner of Gerrity’s, wrote about the incident in a Facebook post, saying, “while there is little doubt this woman was doing it as a very twisted prank, we will not take any chances with the health and well-being of our customers.”
Fasula said the woman coughed on items in the bakery, meat case, and grocery sections of the market. He said 15 staff members had to clean up the mess and dispose of the food.
Margaret Cirko faces numerous counts including terroristic threats and related charges. She is facing up to 20 years in prison.
Right now, she’s jailed with a cash bail set at $50,000. She’s been unable to post the bail. She will have a hearing next month.