Taber man charged after licking products in store as part of ‘COVID Challenge’

One of them, an unnamed 20-year old from Taber, Alta., has been charged with mischief under $5,000.

Taber police Chief Graham Abela says the prank was based on what some people are calling the COVID Challenge on the popular video app TikTok.

“Taber police consider this type of activity a serious breach of good citizenship and conduct that is required during this time of crisis,” Abela said in a Facebook post.

“Reliable and clean food supply is one of our greatest needs at this time, to waste cleaning supplies and food from our shelves during this pandemic is unacceptable.

“We will investigate and where necessary lay charges to the fullest extent of the law to help curb this type of prank.”

An inspector with the Taber Police Service declined an interview request.

Police have not released the man’s name, but said in the Facebook post that he will appear in Taber provincial court on July 7.

In a response to a question in the post about whether additional charges will be laid, police said they have no grounds to charge the other three people.

“A strong message has been sent to this group and to the community regarding our response to this reported crime,” police said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 8, 2020.

by Canadian Press

Taber man charged after licking products in store as part of ‘COVID Challenge’

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