Fruitport Township, Michigan – A Michigan man who released a chemical cloud inside a grocery store to distract workers while stealing thousands in merchandise has been sentenced to a long prison term, officials said.
Incident Overview
The incident took place in September 2024 at a Meijer store on Harvey Street in Fruitport Township, located about 35 miles northwest of Grand Rapids.
Authorities said Alexae Kamron Johnson, 39, used a plastic bottle filled with pool-cleaning chemicals to emit a “small gaseous cloud” inside the store. The release of the noxious gas caused panic among employees and shoppers as the smell of chlorine spread through the aisles.
Chaos and Shoplifting Scheme
According to the Fruitport Township Police Department, the chemical cloud was released in the home goods section, prompting emergency crews to rush to the scene.
Four people were treated for chemical exposure at a nearby hospital and later released.
As the chaos unfolded, Johnson took advantage of the distraction to steal between $1,000 and $2,000 worth of electronics and other expensive items.
Fruitport Deputy Police Chief Greg Poulson told reporters that surveillance footage showed Johnson carefully planning the heist:
“We watched him load his cart up full of electronics. As soon as the bottle dispersed the gas, he immediately went for the exit and left.”
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Johnson was arrested in November 2024, following an investigation by local authorities. In August 2025, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including:
- Two counts of retail fraud by theft
- One count of placing an explosive device with intent to alarm
- Being a habitual offender
Sentencing and Courtroom Remarks
On Thursday, Muskegon County 14th Circuit Court Judge Annette R. Smedley sentenced Johnson to five to fifty years in prison.
During the hearing, Johnson told the court he was suffering from a mental health crisis at the time of the crime and should have sought help. However, the judge said his actions caused real harm and justified a lengthy sentence.
The Muskegon County Hazardous Materials Response Team was later called to the scene to ensure the store was safe before reopening.
What’s your take on this case? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
