West Newton woman accused of coughing on liquor store workers, bottles

A 69-year-old West Newton woman is facing multiple criminal charges after police said she removed her mask inside a Rostraver liquor store and deliberately coughed on employees and liquor bottles, claiming she had covid-19.

Township police charged Leona V. Warman with four counts each of reckless endangerment and simple assault and single counts of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and violating a state health order aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus.

Officer Christopher Tretter reported in court documents that Warman entered the store in Willowbrook Plaza on Route 51 about 3 p.m. Dec. 9, “pulled down her protective face mask, yelled ‘I have covid-19’ and coughed on and in the direction of four employees.”

He said an employee immediately called police.

Tretter alleges that the employees said Warman also “coughed into her hands and touched about 300 separate bottles of hard liquor.”

According to police reports, Warman was still in the store when officers arrived.

A motive for the incident was not given in the police report.

A store employee on Thursday declined comment because the investigation ongoing.

“We’re all OK, but there’s an ongoing investigation so we’re not allowed to comment at this time,” said the employee, who declined to identify herself.

According to police, the state store had to remove the bottles Warman coughed on and touched due to potential contamination, causing a loss “in excess of $5,000.”

Court dockets indicate Warman has no prior criminal record in Pennsylvania.

Warman was charged via mailed summons. She could not be reached for comment and did not have an attorney listed in court documents.

Warman’s hearing is tentatively scheduled March 8.