LIHUE — A Lihue man was arrested in connection with a “noxious odor” complaint that forced an evacuation of the Lihue Wal-Mart last month and caused several customers to become ill. Leonard Nadoza, 62, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of
LIHUE — A Lihue man was arrested in connection with a “noxious odor” complaint that forced an evacuation of the Lihue Wal-Mart last month and caused several customers to become ill.
Leonard Nadoza, 62, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of third-degree assault but released from the Kauai Police Department cellblock Thursday after posting $1,000 bail.
Police believe Nadoza set off a canister of mace near the entrance of the store.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. March 30 when several Wal-Mart customers reported a substance in the air made them sick.
According to the Kauai Police Department, 10 people fell ill as a result of the incident. Their symptoms included trouble breathing, nausea, and pain in the eyes and throat.
Several of the victims were hospitalized.
The Kauai Fire Department HAZMAT crew and a state Department of Health representative initially responded to the scene and assisted in a full evacuation of the store, but they were unable to determine the exact cause of the disturbance.
The store was reopened about three hours later.
Following the incident, KFD received additional information which led them to believe the incident may have been intentional and turned the case over to the police department.
Detectives then identified Nadoza as the suspect. He was arrested Tuesday afternoon at a senior housing complex in Lihue.
His initial court appearance has not been scheduled.
