Woman accused of coughing on employees, bottles inside Westmoreland County liquor store

Rostraver, Pa. — A woman from Westmoreland County was facing charges after police said she coughed on bottles and employees at a Rostraver liquor store.

Leona Warman, 69, of West Newton, walked into the store on Dec. 9, pulled down her mask, and yelled, “I have COVID-19,” according to court documents obtained by our news partners at TribLIVE.com. She’s accused of then coughing on or near four store employees and touching around 300 bottles.

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Employees called police, who arrested Warman in the store, according to TribLIVE.com. The bottles had to be removed from the store, causing a more than $5,000 loss, according to court documents.

Warman is facing several charges, including reckless endangerment and violating a state health order aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus.

“Unfortunately it kind of makes me hesitant to go back in the store,” Erik Julin said.

“Why would you do that? I don’t know if she did, if she was tested for it, but it not only affects people who come into contact with it but it affects their families, too,” another shopper said.

The store was closed for about three hours that day so it could be disinfected, according to store officials:

“The health and safety of our customers and employees is a priority for Fine Wine & Good Spirits, so yes – the Belle Vernon store did close temporarily, for about three hours, on the day of the incident so the store and its products could be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.”

31% of all COVID-19 related deaths in Allegheny County have been reported in December