Taco Bell’s claims of rat poison in Colorado prompted police investigations
Authorities say a Colorado man has been hospitalized after eating a Taco Bell meal that allegedly contained rat poison.
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Public Information Officer, John Bartman, told USA TODAY on Wednesday that an investigation is currently underway.
Authorities are still working to confirm whether the man ingested rat poison — and if so, whether or not rat poison was put in his food at the restaurant.
As of now, the case has been classified as criminal attempted murder, Baartman said.
The man, who has not been publicly identified, went to Taco Bell in Aurora on Sunday afternoon, Baartman explained. Officers responded to a verbal disturbance call at the restaurant around 1 p.m., after the man argued with staff because the soft drink machine was not working.
The man asked for a free food replacement instead of a drink. He got an extra burrito at no cost, restaurant manager Larry Swift he told CBS Colorado.
“When we arrived (to Taco Bell), there was… no criminal activity whatsoever. Just an unhappy customer, arguing with the staff,” Baartman said, noting that the man quickly left the restaurant.
But later, the sheriff’s office dispatch received a call from a hospital in the area around 7:50 PM that evening.
The hospital said they had a patient who “may have ingested rat poison,” Baartman said. Deputies who responded to the scene found that the patient was the same man from the previous incident at Taco Bell.
his mom:A former Republican candidate implicated in a shooting at the homes of deputies in the northern Mediterranean has appeared in court. What do you know about the case
“near blackout conditions”:What do you know about the winter storm? Snow forecast from Minnesota to Maine
The man told the officers that after doing yard work and watching television, he ate Taco Bell around 7 p.m.
He “immediately felt a burning sensation and then started to get sick,” Baartman said, adding that the man called 911 and was quickly taken to the hospital.
Deputies who responded to the hospital found a “greenish-gray substance” that they could not identify in some foods, Baartman said.
Then investigators responded to the Taco Bell website to get more information from the employees. Baartman said the man also allowed investigators to go to his home to retrieve the rest of the food and any other evidence.
Local health and environmental health officials have also been contacted. The Taco Bell location had to get rid of all of its food before it reopened. Baartman said the restaurant was temporarily closed but is now open again.
Policy:Rep. Greg Steubi spent the night in the intensive care unit after falling 25 feet off a ladder; “Not life threatening” injuries
“We don’t carry poison in the restaurant,” Swift told CBS Colorado. “We didn’t do anything like that. It wasn’t like that.”
In a statement sent to USA TODAY on Wednesday, Taco Bell Corp. said, “The safety of customers and team members is a priority. The franchisor that owns and operates this location has informed us that it is working with local authorities in their investigation.”
Baartman said Taco Bell has provided authorities with all of its surveillance videos, which are still being reviewed by investigators. Investigators are also holding onto the man’s food for a possible rat poison test, depending on how the case progresses in the future.
Baartman said the man was discharged from the hospital. He didn’t know his current condition.
What is everyone talking about? Subscribe to our popular newsletter to get the latest news of the day
Experts confirm that eating rat poison is very dangerous for humans. the University of Kansas Health System Notes Symptoms of poisoning can include damage to the kidneys and other organs, seizures, bloody diarrhea, bleeding gums, hair loss and bruising.
It may also take a few days after exposure for symptoms to develop. If left untreated, poisoning can lead to death. says the National Pesticide Information Centers.
