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SOUTH BEND — Dollar Tree hasn't found any more suspected urine in candles since police were notified earlier this month, according to employees.
On Sept. 5, the South Bend Police Department was called to Dollar Tree on South Bend Avenue as a shopper told officers urine spilled on her daughter as she was smelling a candle. The woman believed that the liquid was urine because of its color and smell, but police have not confirmed this, they said.
When the mother reported the spill to Dollar Tree employees, they were already aware of an unknown person who'd been urinating in their candles, police said in a press release. A surveillance camera is at the front of the store, but not in the aisle with the candles, a store assistant manager confirmed on Monday.
Dollar Tree on South Bend Avenue was reported to have suspected urine found in a candle from a customer on Sept. 5, 2024 according to the South Bend Police Department.
The assistant store manager said he was present during only two of the discoveries, confirming there were more than two incidents. The store manager didn't confirm how many incidents there were, nor, how much money was lost due to the affected merchandise.
Additionally, the assistant manager said he can't determine what time of day the candles were vandalized. The staff had been finding the affected candles randomly, he told The Tribune.
On Sept. 23, the store manager said after the Sept. 5 incident, the company said they're taking care of it, however, she didn't specify how they are handling the situation.
Both employees declined to give their names to a reporter.
A Tribune reporter did contact the Vice President of Communications with Dollar Tree, Inc. multiple times regarding how they are addressing these issues. The corporate communications account had not returned an email, phone call or two text messages before deadline.
There have been no arrests, according to South Bend police.
"Due to a lack of evidence, police have not yet identified a suspect or made an arrest," said Ashley O'Chap, South Bend Police Department director of communications. Police continue the investigation in cooperation with Dollar Tree, she said.
Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: More than two South Bend Dollar Tree complaints of urine in candles
