Teen Claims She Has Coronavirus, Coughs On Wegmans Shopper: Cops

PRINCETON, NJ — A 16-year-old teen from Trenton was arrested after she claimed she had the new coronavirus and coughed on another shopper at Wegmans Food Market in the Nassau Park Pavilion.

Just before 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday a 52-year-old Monmouth Junction woman was waiting in line to checkout with her groceries inside Wegmans at 240 Nassau Park Blvd. and the teen was standing in front of the cart behind the victim, the victim told West Windsor Police.

The victim said when she asked the teen to give her some space the teen removed her mask and coughed on her, police said.

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The teen and her mother claimed the victim had instead started the verbal fight, police said.

"After thoroughly and painstakingly gathering the facts in the incident Det. Sgt. Lai determined that the juvenile had harassed the victim by pulling down her facial mask, walking closer toward the victim, and coughing towards the victim while claiming to have the deadly ans highly contagious Coronavirus (COVID-19)," police said.

Police said the teen had been uncooperative with the investigation and was charged with harassment and obstruction of justice pending a future Mercer County Family Court Appearance.

"Chief Garofalo wanted to let our community know that we fully support New Jersey AG Grewal and Mercer County Prosecutor Onofri in having zero tolerance for acts such as this. Chief Garofalo wanted to assure everyone that the WWPD will continue to bring those to justice who choose to victimize others. Supermarkets such as Wegmans have been deemed essential by the State of New Jersey and the WWPD will use its full resources to protect their staff and the general public during this time of need," police said.

• See Related: Here's What Happens To Those Threatening NJ Cops With Coronavirus

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