Man Accused Of Pouring Bleach In South Bay Supermarket Freezers

REDONDO BEACH, CA – A 48-year-old man is accused of pouring bleach into refrigerators and freezers at grocery stores in California, including some in Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and West Los Angeles.

David Lorh was charged in a federal criminal complaint in the U.S. District Court in L.A. with tampering and attempting to tamper with consumer products, the Federal Bureau of Investigation press release said. He was arrested in Northern California last week, authorities said.

The FBI said David Lohr started his crime spree in December 2018 and continued into January.

Security video showed him pouring the bleach into refrigerators and freezers containing packaged consumer products – like ice, alcoholic beverages and packaged frozen seafood – at supermarkets in L.A. County, authorities said. Some customers reported smelling bleach on products, according to the FBI.

The affected products were destroyed, as bleach contains hazardous chemicals that can cause "serious eye irritation, skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea," the press release said.

There have been no known reports of individuals harmed by the bleach, according to authorities.

Lohr is being held in Santa Clara County. He may also face state charges in Northern California and is already facing charges in Arizona and Orange County for similar behavior, the FBI said.

Lohr is described as a white male, approximately 5’10", 260 pounds, with blue eyes. Investigators believe he was recently living in short-term housing throughout California, and he is known to use public transportation to move between cities.

The FBI would like to hear from anyone who believes they have been affected by the alleged actions, or anyone who may have information regarding the incident. Report information related to the case to 1-800-CALL-FBI.

This investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the FBI and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

Photo courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation