PA Woman Arrested After Coughing on Grocery Food, Store Disposes of Food

In what has become a national story coming from northeastern PA, a woman was arrested after coughing on exposed food in a grocery store and claiming to be sick with COVID-19.  In response, the store ended up disposing of $35,000 worth of groceries.  She was charged with two felony counts of terroristic threats using a biological agent as well counts of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and attempted retail theft.

The Hill
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/489981-woman-accused-of-coughing-on-stores-food-jailed-charged-with-terrorist-threats
Woman accused of coughing on store's food jailed, charged with terroristic threats
BY KAELAN DEESE - 03/28/20 11:30 AM EDT

Police on Thursday charged a Pennsylvania woman with making terroristic threats after she coughed on grocery store food while claiming to be sick.

Margaret Cirko, 35, allegedly "intentionally contaminated" grocery items by coughing and spitting on them, claiming to be sick while attempting to steal a pack of beer, according to the Hanover Township Police Department.

The incident resulted in the store disposing of $35,000 worth of produce, meat and other essential items.

"Today was a very challenging day," Joe Fasula, co-owner of the store, wrote in a Facebook post. "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."

Local authorities said in a statement that Cirko was charged with two felony counts of terroristic threats using a biological agent, one count of criminal mischief, and misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and attempted retail theft.

Cirko was sent to a mental health hospital to be evaluated after her arrest.

She was placed in Luzerne County Prison on $50,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing for April 8.