South Lake Tahoe Police looking for suspect in food tampering case

An unidentified man is being sought by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) for allegedly tampering with food on at least four different occasions in the Hot Wok self-serve section of the Raley's in the Village Center at Stateline.

On Tuesday, November 15, 2016 a suspect walked into the grocery store, approached the self-serve food display, and intentionally dispensed an unknown type of contaminating substance on top of the food. The suspect then walked out of the store and left the area on foot. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.

After SLTPD officers review store surveillance video they determined this man is the same suspect who allegedly committed the same act at least three prior times since November 8.

SLTPD investigators have collected samples of the contaminant for laboratory analysis in an attempt to identify it. There is no estimate on when the results will be made available. They have also been in contact with the El Dorado County Environmental Management and Public Health Divisions who are not aware of any illnesses associated with this investigation.

Every person who willfully mingles any poison or harmful substance with any food, drink, medicine, or pharmaceutical product where the person knows or should have known that the same would be taken by any human being to his or her injury, is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, four, or five years.

The SLT Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect. He is described as a white male adult, approximately 5’07” tall, with a thin build. The suspect was last seen wearing a black hat, dark sunglasses, a black long-sleeved shirt, black backpack, and blue jeans.

Please contact the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at (530) 542-6100 or Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800 with any information regarding this case. If you believe that you have become ill, please contact your medical provider and contact the County of El Dorado Environmental Management Division at (530)573-3453 or (530)621-5300.