A Monmouth County man allegedly coughed in a food store employee and then claimed he had the coronavirus.
George Falcone, 50, of Freehold, is charged with terroristic threats, obstruction and harassment in the incident that happened at about 6:30 Sunday night at the Wegmans in Manalapan.
Gov. Phil Murphy first talked of the incident Tuesday, during his daily COVID-19 briefing.
The unnamed female employee was concerned that Falcone was standing too close to her and an open display of prepared foods, so she requested that he step back as she covered the food, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said.
Instead, Falcone allegedly stepped forward to within three feet of her, leaned toward her and purposely coughed.
He then laughed and said he was infected with the coronavirus, according to the charges.
Falcone subsequently told two other employees they are lucky to have jobs.
A detective of the Manalapan Police Department was working a security detail at the store and approached Falcone, who refused to cooperate or provide his name or driver’s license, according to the charges. After about 40 minutes, Falcone identified himself and was allowed to leave.
Summonses were issued Tuesday, after additional investigation.
“Exploiting people’s fears and creating panic during a pandemic emergency is reprehensible,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said. “In times like these, we need to find ways to pull together as a community instead of committing acts that further divide us.”
The case will be prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice within the Attorney General’s Office.
“These are extremely difficult times in which all of us are called upon to be considerate of each other— not to engage in intimidation and spread fear, as alleged in this case,” Grewal said. “We must do everything we can to deter this type of conduct and any similar conduct that harms others during this emergency.
“Just as we are cracking down on bias offenses and those who use the pandemic to fuel hatred and prejudice, we vow to respond swiftly and strongly whenever someone commits a criminal offense that uses the coronavirus to generate panic or discord,” he added.
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“I commend the officers and detectives involved in this case for bringing criminal charges against the
individual responsible for causing additional stress to the employees and patrons of Wegmans during these unprecedented times,” said Manalapan Police Chief Michael Fountain. “It sickens me to think an individual would lower their basic human standards during a time of crisis such as we are experiencing. As evident by these charges, law enforcement will not tolerate individuals breaking the law and placing others in fear during an already tense situation.”
Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Petty disorderly persons offenses carry a sentence of up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000
