Suspect sought in connection with poison gas incident in Fruitport

FRUITPORT, Michigan – Police are working to identify a suspect possibly connected to a toxic gas and shoplifting incident at Fruitport Meijer.

The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon at Meijer on Harvey Street. Police responded to reports of toxic gas inside the store. When officers arrived, they noticed a “small cloud of gas” in the middle of the store that reportedly smelled like chlorine.

Officers determined the gas was coming from a plastic bottle in the store's home goods section. Investigators believe the gas was a chemical used in swimming pool maintenance.

The store was evacuated and the bottle removed.

Four people were treated at a local hospital. They have all been discharged and are expected to recover.

The Muskegon County Hazardous Materials Response Team also arrived on site and ensured the store was able to safely resume operations.

Police are now looking for a person suspected in connection with the incident. Security camera footage shows a man shoplifting in the area where the gas cloud was found, investigators say.

The police have released photos of the man and the vehicle he was driving:

On Facebook, the Muskegon County Hazardous Materials Response Team posted a photo and praised Meijer employees and firefighters, saying their efforts “kept the community out of harm's way.”

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with 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 witness statements or personal records of the incident.