The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Florida man’s uncle is facing a felony after buying him a sandwich and allegedly poisoning it by dousing it in Visine eye drops to make him sick.
On the evening of December 13, a man went to a convenience store in Pinellas Park that he visits regularly. When he was talking to the clerk, he reportedly told them he was suffering from dry eyes. He asked to purchase a bottle of Visine. The man started to discuss the tense relationship he has with his nephew, with whom he resides and allegedly expressed hatred towards him.
The man reportedly opened a container holding a meatball sandwich and started pouring the Visine all over the food. The clerk, who reportedly saw the man dousing the sandwich with the eye drops, said he tried to tell him it could cause someone harm if they ingested the food.
The employee notified the authorities to report the situation, and officers from the Pinellas Park Police Department went to the store to watch the surveillance video. The clerk let them know that when he told the man the food could make someone ill, he responded by saying it would only give someone stomach issues. The video reportedly coincided with the clerk’s retelling of the events.
The police were able to find out where the customer lived by looking at receipts from prior purchases, and they went to the residence to investigate further.
It was reported that the officers made it to the home before the suspect’s nephew took more than a bite or two of the sandwich.
They took the man into custody and booked him into the Pinellas County Jail. He is facing preliminary charges of one felony count of poisoning of food or water. He is currently being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond. If he is released, he is disallowed from contacting his nephew in any way.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.