ANN ARBOR – The FBI has arrested a man suspected of spraying food with a mouse poison mixture around Ann-Arbor grocery stores.

Kyle Bessemer, 29, was arraigned Thursday on four felony food poisoning charges.

Ann Arbor 15th District Court Judge Elizabeth Pollard set Bessemer’s bond at $250,000, and set house arrest as a condition of his release during his arraignment on two counts each of poisoning food, drink, medicine, or water supply causing property damage and poisoning drink, medicine, or water supply.

Each of charges is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, the FBI said.

The FBI said a tip from the public led to the suspect.

So far, the man has admitted to contaminating food with a potentially hazardous liquid at the Whole Foods Market on West Eisenhower Parkway, a Meijer store on Ann Arbor-Saline Road and Plum Market on North Maple Road.

“Our joint investigation leads us to believe that this individual sprayed a liquid mixture of hand sanitizer, water and Tomcat mice poison on produce,” the FBI said.

The suspect told investigators he sprayed the chemicals on produce in those stores within the last two weeks. 

A release by the state said based on the FBI investigation, as many as 14 other stores in the area may also have been targeted.

State officials said the stores have been contacted and additional samples have been collected by law enforcement for further testing.

The chemicals found in this mixture are a form of anti-coagulant, similar to what is found in medicines that have an anti-clotting function. Officials with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said they do not anticipate any adverse health effects on individuals who may have ingested potentially contaminated products.

The department’s food inspectors are in stores conducting follow-up assessments to determine the concentration of the liquid, officials said.

The Agriculture Department has urged people to contact their health care provider or call Michigan Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if they have concerns or questions related to this case.