Homeless man accused of pouring bleach in consumer products arrested

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - A homeless man accused of pouring bleach into refrigerators and freezers containing packaged consumer products at supermarkets in multiple Southern California cities including Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and West Los Angeles has been arrested.

The FBI says 48-year-old David Clare Lohr was seen on surveillance video in December 2018 and January 2019 taking bleach from the shelves and pouring it into refrigerators and products such as ice, alcoholic beverages, and packaged seafood.

Some customers reported smelling bleach on products and the tampered packages were subsequently destroyed, according to the FBI who say that to date, there have not been any reports of people sickened by Lohr's actions.

Bleach contains hazardous chemicals that can cause serious eye irritation, skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Lohr was arrested by Sheriff's deputies in Sunnyvale, California on Feb. 6, 2019, after law enforcement received a report of a man spreading white powder and hydrogen peroxide aboard a public bus. He faces federal criminal charges of tampering and attempting to tamper with consumer products.

Authorities say Lohr has been living as a transient.

The investigation is ongoing and authorities would like to hear from anyone who believed they may have been affected in any way by Lohr's alleged actions, or anyone who may have information about this case. Call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324.