Evidence scarce in Walmart needle mystery
The person hiding needles in clothing sold at the Cartersville Walmart has proven quite elusive, leaving behind no discernible fingerprints and escaping capture on the store's surveillance cameras, Bartow County Sherriff Clark Millsap said Monday.
Altogether, nine needles have been recovered, including two late last week.
The GBI Crime Lab found no identifiable fingerprint evidence on three syringes submitted for testing, said Millsap, adding video surveillance cameras have also turned up little.
"With no identifiers available to aid in the investigations, [the sheriff] asks the public for assistance," a statement from the sheriff's office reads. Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the Bartow criminal investigations division at 770-382-5050, ext. 6029.
Meanwhile, Walmart employees continue to monitor video footage.
"We are confident our surveillance cameras will identify that person," Walmart spokeswoman Dianna Gee said.
Investigators believe the incidents are contained to the Cartersville store.
Syringes have been found in the pocket of a nightgown, a man’s hoodie, a pair of Hello Kitty socks, footed pajamas, a boxed bra and men's lounge pants, among other items. At least two customers have been pricked and store officials said Walmart will pay for the medical expenses of those injured by the needles.
The syringes all appear to be the same type, commonly used by those with diabetes, and could have been purchased from any pharmacy without a prescription.
--Dispatch editor Christopher Seward contributed to this article.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
