(WWJ) A Michigan man accused of trying to spread the coronavirus at Kroger has been ordered held on a $100,000 bond.
Jonathan David-Asher Miracle, 26, was arraigned Monday via video in 67th District Court on charges of Harmful Substance – Person Falsely Exposed, a 5-year felony; Malicious Destruction of Police Property, a 4-year felony; and Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing Police, a 2-year felony.
According to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, it's alleged that Miracle "intentionally touched numerous shopping carts" at the grocery store, in the Flint area, while claiming to be infected with COVID-19.
Just before 11 a.m. on Friday, March 27, Genesee Township Police were called to the Kroger store on N. Saginaw St., just north of the City of Mt. Morris, about a disorderly person.
A store employee called 911 to report that a man "was walking around inside the store with his hands down his pants and touching and pushing around shopping carts" while stating that he had the virus, according to a news release. The man, later identified as Miracle, was also verbally aggressive toward store employees, witnesses said, and was grabbing shopping carts from customers in the parking lot after they were done using them.
When police arrived on the scene they found Miracle in the parking lot, spoke with him, and made an arrest.
While Miracle was being taken to jail, he kissed the window of the police vehicle "leaving clearly visible residue" in an apparent attempt to spread the virus to police and others, according to Leyton's office.
“This was a very disturbing incident that has placed many people in fear for their health and safety and has disrupted an already stressed situation as residents attempt to carry on with essential everyday routines,” said Leyton, in a statement. "Our number one priority is the safety of our community and we are doing everything we can to hold accountable people who would do harm to others in any fashion."
It was not immediately clear if Miracle indeed has the virus, according to authorities, because he had not yet been tested. Leyton told WNEM-TV if it turns out that Miracle actually does have COVID-19 his charges will be much more serious.
Results are pending.
Court records show Miracle's bond (cash or surety) came with the following conditions: No drugs or alcohol; that he not possess or purchase a firearm or other dangerous weapon; no contact with the victims; he cannot enter any Kroger store; that authorities put his fingerprints on file and he wear a GPS tether.
Miracle, a resident of Mt. Morris, requested and received a court-appointed attorney.
He remains in the Genessee County Jail awaiting a probable cause conference scheduled for April 23.