Police ID suspect accused of tampering with Target food products
PHOENIX (KSAZ) -- Police say a man has been arrested after Target announced Tuesday that food products at six of their stores across the Valley may have been tampered with.
On Wednesday morning, Phoenix Police officials identified the suspect as David C. Lohr. According to court documents, Lohr, 48, was arrested outside a Target store near 48th Street and Ray Road in Ahwatukee, an East Valley suburb of Phoenix, where reports of an odor prompted a HAZMAT response Tuesday afternoon.
According to a statement released by Target officials late Tuesday afternoon, there was potential tampering of frozen pizzas, ice cream, and fresh beef, pork, and chicken products at the following Target stores, including the store in Ahwatukee:
1. Uptown Camelback, 1625 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix
2. Arcadia Crossing, 4515 E. Thomas Road in Phoenix
3. Ahwatukee, 4734 E. Ray Road in Phoenix
4. Tempe, 1818 E. Baseline Road in Tempe
5. Chandler West Santan, 3425 W. Frye Road in Chandler
6. Scottsdale, 9000 Talking Stick Way in Scottsdale
According to Target officials, the stores took immediate steps once they learned that selected food products may have been tampered with by outside contaminants, and although no illnesses have been reported, the stores have removed all potentially impacted products, out of an "abundance of caution". The Arizona Attorney General's Office, along with the Phoenix Police Department, worked closely with Target's security team to apprehend the suspect.
According to court documents, Lohr arrived in Arizona recently, but did not state an exact or approximate date, and is staying at a hotel. He admitted to pouring hydrogen peroxide into a freezer case which contained bagged frozen food, and police say he may be involved in other incidents around the Valley.
Target officials say they are working with investigators for a timeline of events, but that broadly speaking, the incidents happened within the last couple of weeks. Meanwhile, if Target guests suspect they have bought any of the potentially impacted product, they are asked to throw the products away, and call Target Guest Relations at 1-800-440-0680 for a refund.
At this time, Target officials say they do not believe any other product or products purchased at any other Target stores are impacted.
Lohr, according to court documents, has been charged with a count of adding poison or other harmful substance to food to be taken by a human being, which is a felony. He is being held on a $10,000 cash-only bond, and an attorney will be provided for Lohr, as the court finds him to be indigent.
Lohr is due back in court in early November.