Austrian police apprehended a 39-year-old individual suspected of lacing jars of baby food with rat poison in an attempt to extort money from the German manufacturer HiPP, as reported by the Austrian newspaper Krone.
“For 38 days, the criminal saga involving rat poison and baby food jars held hundreds of thousands of parents in a state of fearful panic. On Saturday, investigators stormed the hideout of the cowardly perpetrator in Austria,” the article stated.
According to the publication, the arrest occurred in the Austrian state of Salzburg, following an international investigation into the poisoned baby food jars codenamed SOKO Glas. Initial information suggests the perpetrator acted alone.
Investigators believe the suspect purchased jars of baby food from supermarkets, introduced rat poison into them, and then returned the tainted products to the shelves. Simultaneously, he demanded two million euros in cryptocurrency from the manufacturer.
Previously, poisoned jars had been discovered and confiscated in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Austrian state of Burgenland. In total, investigators estimate six tampered jars were in circulation, with five located to date.
“He was buying baby food in supermarkets, adding the rat poison, and putting the jars back on the shelves. To make children sick? To kill them? There are no indications yet from the person who—whatever the reason—intentionally did this. Investigators are conducting continuous questioning,” the newspaper wrote.
The motives of the suspect are still being determined.
“We view this crucial step in the investigation with great relief and thank the involved authorities for their dedicated work,” HiPP stated to the publication regarding the detention of the culprit.
About the Author
