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Police ID Suspect In Case Of Tampered Vitamins At Meijer

PORTAGE, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Someone tampered with bottles of vitamins at four Meijer stores in Kalamazoo County.

Officials with the Michigan-based retailer contacted police Wednesday to report they had found tampered bottles of Mega Red Ultra Strength Omega-3 Krill Oil.

The gel pills in the bottle had been replaced with chocolate chips, cat food or prescription medication. The bottles were resealed and returned to the shelves.

Portage Police Detective Dereck Hess told the Kalamazoo Gazette the tampered products were found at all four Meijer stores in the county.

"It appears the vitamins were purchased and taken home by the suspect," police said in a release. "In some cases the suspect opened the bottles of vitamins, switched the vitamins with other items and then resealed the packages. The suspect then returned the packages to the store and the items were returned to the shelves. Some of the bottles that were in the packages were the original vitamin bottles, other non-labeled prescription bottles and bottles that were painted black."

Hess said police have identified a suspect in the case, although his name is not being released. He is not yet in custody, Hess said. It's not yet clear what charges he could be facing.

"We're trying to find the best charge," Hess said. "But we need to talk to the suspect first."

In the meantime, consumers are being urged to inspect over-the-counter drugs as well to ensure that tampering has not occurred.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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