Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office are investigating an incident that occurred Sunday at a Lakeview business involving a female customer who reportedly refused to comply with state mask mandates and allegedly made statements regarding not needing to wear a mask because she “carries a gun.”
Deputies said the suspect is a 50-year-old Florida woman who was refused service at Winner’s Lakeview Market, 13840 N. State Route 235, Lakeview, because she was not wearing a mask.
The woman then allegedly walked out of the store with a cart full of unpaid groceries, but left the groceries in the parking lot before leaving in her vehicle with a Florida license plate that was photographed by store employees.
Deputies responded to the store about 7:10 p.m. and were advised that woman had left the premises. They asked employees to notify the sheriff’s office if the woman returned to the store.
During follow-up investigation this week, deputies interviewed store employees and spoke with the clerk working during the incident.
The clerk told deputies that the female suspect came into the store between 6 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday and the clerk asked her if she had a mask and the woman said she did not.
The clerk told her she would provide a mask, but the suspect reportedly told her, “No, I don’t wear a mask, I carry” while pointing to her waist, where the clerk thought she observed a holster.
After shopping at the store, the clerk said the woman came up to the register to check out her items. The clerk again told the woman she would not be served if she wasn’t wearing a mask and the woman again stated she was “carrying.”
At that time, the clerk said she called for her manager. The suspect reportedly told the manager and clerk that since she was refused service, she didn’t have to pay for the items and she walked out of the store with her grocery cart full of items.
A report has been forwarded to the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office for determination of charges.