Water Bottle Tampering Suspect Sought In South OC: WATCH

MISSION VIEJO, CA — A suspect who entered an Orange County grocery store and was caught on camera opening water bottles was sought by officials, Wednesday.

Orange County sheriff's investigators asked for the public's help after concerns were aired that he may have tampered with the open bottles.

The suspect began opening water bottles in an undisclosed store on the border of Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita about 2:30 p.m. Monday, according to Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

"An employee spotted the man opening the water bottles and confronted him, prompting him to run out of the store and leave in a white sport utility vehicle," Braun said.

It is not clear if the suspect poisoned the water or put something else in the liquid, Braun said. The bottles were being tested as of this report.

"The video is not conclusive in showing that to us," Braun said of surveillance video evidence.
Store employees removed about 10 cases or less of water as a precaution, Braun said.

The suspect is in his late 20s or early 30s and is about 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds. He had a beard and was wearing a bright orange shirt with blue jeans.

Anyone with information was asked to call sheriff's officials at 714- 647-7000.