Two more syringes have been found in clothing at a Walmart in Cartersville, the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday.
The syringes were found this week in the pocket of a nightgown and the pocket of a man’s hoodie, according to spokesman Sgt. Jonathan Rogers. No injuries were reported.
The latest discoveries bring to nine the number of syringes found in articles at the Cartersville store. The syringes started turning up over a week ago.
Walmart spokeswoman Dianna Gee said the retailer has teams dedicated to monitoring video surveillance in the store.
“We are continuing to partner with law enforcement to catch whoever is responsible for this senseless act,” Gee said Saturday. “We are confident our surveillance cameras will identify that person.”
The spokeswoman couldn’t say who found the syringes. She said store staffers continue to check merchandise for syringes.
Investigators say they have neither a suspect or motive but believe the incidents are contained to the Bartow Walmart.
Syringes also have been found in other clothing, among them a pair of pants, a pair of Hello Kitty socks, footed pajamas, a boxed bra and men's lounge pants.
At least two customers have been pricked and store officials said it will pay for the medical expenses of those injured by the needles. The victims could be at risk of contracting hepatitis or possibly HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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, sheriff's deputies said. They have been sent to the GBI crime lab for forensic testing.
Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to call the Bartow Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 770-382-5050, ext. 6029.
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