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In Fruitport Township, Alexae Johnson has been sentenced this week to five to 50 years in prison for releasing a noxious gas cloud inside a Meijer store in September 2024.
Johnson, 39, mixed pool chemicals in a plastic bottle, creating a chlorine-like gas to distract from his theft of thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise. Four people were hospitalized due to the gas but were later released without serious injuries.
Johnson pleaded guilty to placing an explosive device with intent to alarm, retail fraud, and being a habitual offender. During the sentencing, Judge Annette Smedley emphasized the harm caused by Johnson's actions, leading to his lengthy sentence. The incident, which occurred at the Meijer on Harvey Street, involved Johnson releasing the gas from a bottle in the home goods section, allowing him to steal electronics and other items.
Police identified Johnson from surveillance footage and arrested him while he was already in custody for an unrelated case. The gas cloud was confirmed to be from pool treatment chemicals, used by Johnson as a distraction during the theft.