Pittsburgh bar worker arrested in case of drink spiked with degreaser

A Pittsburgh man who is accused of spiking the drink of a co-worker at a Pittsburgh bar with a degreaser earlier this month was arrested Wednesday by Allegheny County deputy sheriffs, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety officials.

The suspect, Gregory L. Evans Jr, 30, of the North Side, allegedly poured a heavy-duty degreaser into the drink of a co-worker at Redbeard’s Sports Bar & Grill, 144 Sixth St., in Downtown Pittsburgh, at about 3:30 p.m. Aug, 7, city police said.

An arrest warrant was issued for Evans on charges of criminal attempt at homicide, two counts of aggravated assault and single counts of recklessly endangering another person and simple assault that were filed Sunday, according to court documents.

The victim, a cook at the bar, said he had left his drink of strawberry ice tea unattended while he went outside, then found that it tasted bad and smelled bad, as well as having bubbles in it. The victim told police he took a sip of the drink and dumped the rest of the contents.

He suffered a burning sensation in his upper and lower lips and they turned red as result of the substance. He told police he sought medical attention at a hospital.

Police said the bar manager told them he reviewed a video of activity at the bar and Evans can be seen pouring a substance into a cup and then into the co-worker’s drink. That’s when the manager reported the incident to city police.

The victim told police he did not have a dispute with Evans, who has been placed in the Allegheny County Jail pending an arraignment.