A young man who sprayed Lysol on products at a Walmart in Joliet, Illinois “to protect customers from the coronavirus” is now wanted by authorities.
The man, believed to be in his 20s, entered the store on the 1400 block of Route 59 after 4 p.m. on Sunday wearing a yellow medical mask, with a sign saying “CAUTION I HAVE THE CORONAVIRUS.”
The suspect, who entered the store with another White man, also likely in his 20s, began spraying Lysol on produce, clothing and beauty/healthcare items, police said.
“He was just telling everybody the same thing, that he was protecting them from this virus,” customer Tony Prokes, who witnessed the scene, told ABC 7. “It’s not really good to be pranking society that way. Some people will be afraid.”
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The pair left the premises in a white 2003 GMC Yukon registered to Oswego, Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Walmart approximated the loss of produce at more than $7,300, while cleanup costs are estimated at over $2,400.
There are currently 12 cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the U.S., with the last reported case in Wisconsin on Wednesday, according to CNN. California has been hit the most with six reported cases, while Washington State, Arizona, and Massachusetts — like Wisconsin — has each reported one case, The New York Times noted.
So far, Illinois has confirmed two cases out of 45 patients under investigation. Twenty-three tested negative, while 19 are still pending results.
The Walmart suspect is now facing felony charges for his actions.
Anyone with information about the individuals involved can contact the Joliet Police Department’s Investigation Unit at 815-724-3020. Reports can also be submitted to Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or through its official website.
Feature Image Screenshots via ABC 7 Chicago
