CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — The U.S. District Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced on Jan. 25, 2022, that Robert Burns, now 61, was sentenced, to two years in prison for tampering with consumer products.
“FDA is fully committed to the vigorous criminal investigation and prosecution of any individual who threatens the U.S. consumer product supply,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear signal that illicit tampering activity will not be tolerated.”
After Burns' time in prison, he will also have two years of supervised release.
Previously (Aug. 15, 2019):
Silver Spring Township Police have arrested 58-year-old Robert Burns, the Mechanicsburg man accused of tampering beauty products, medicine, and toiletries at stores in Cumberland County.
Burns was taken into custody around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on charges of recklessly endangering another person, theft by deception and criminal mischief, Silver Spring Township Police say.
Cumberland County District Attorney Skip Ebert told FOX43 earlier Wednesday that Burns was a suspect in the case.
Silver Spring Township Police were first alerted of the tampering on August 2nd after Sensodyne toothpaste purchased at Giant on the Carlisle Pike appeared to have been altered.
"It appeared to have been refilled with a substance," said Det. Andrew Bassler, Silver Spring Township Police Department. "And resealed with some type of tape material."
Police say through Giant Bonus Card transactions they were able to identify Burns as the suspect.
According to the criminal complaint, the Giant Bonus Card that Burns was connected to was used to return items on 24 dates between January 22 and July 28.
They have searched his house and found items consistent with the items purchased, tampered with, and then returned to Giant, Wegmans, Walmart, and CVS Pharmacy in Hampden and Silver Spring Townships.
"They're being tested against any and all chemical makeups," said Det. Bassler. "Trying to determine exactly what is in these tampered items."
In statements, Giant and Wegmans tell FOX43 they have pulled the items in question off their shelves out of an abundance of caution. Giant has already restocked items from their warehouse. CVS Pharmacy and Walmart did not return our request for comment.
Police say Burns has been uncooperative in this investigation and his motive is unknown. Police believe he has been tampering with items since January, and are asking anyone who believes they may have purchased a tampered item to contact them.