FRUITPORT, Mich. — Police are working to identify a person of interest who may be connected to a noxious gas and shoplifting incident at a Fruitport Meijer.
The incident happened Tuesday afternoon at the Meijer on Harvey Street. Police responded to reports of a noxious gas inside the store. Officers noticed a "small gaseous cloud" that reportedly smelled like chlorine in the center of the store when they arrived.
Officers determined the gas was coming from a plastic bottle in the home goods section of the store. Investigators believe the gas was a chemical used in maintaining swimming pools.
The store was evacuated and the bottle was removed.
Four people received treatment at a local hospital. They were all released and are expected to be OK.
The Muskegon County Hazardous Materials Response Team also responded to the scene and ensured the store was safe to resume operations.
Police are now looking to identify a person of interest in this incident. Security camera footage shows a man shoplifting from the area where the gas cloud was found, investigators say.
Police have released photos of the man as well as the vehicle he was driving:
On Facebook, the Muskegon County Hazardous Materials Response Team posted a photo and commended the Meijer staff and firefighters, saying that their efforts "kept the general public out of harm's way."
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Bryan Rypstra or Deputy Chief Greg Poulson at the Fruitport Township Police Department or Silent Observer at 231-722-7463.
Investigators are looking for any witness statements or personal recordings of the incident.
