CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — A Cumberland County family got quite the Halloween scare Tuesday night, finding sewing needles in three different pieces of candy.
"It's scary that nowadays kids can't even go out and trick or treat without worrying about stuff being in their candy," said Tracy Meek, who lives in the neighborhood where the tampered candy was found.
Police were called out to the first block of Pine Hill Avenue in Silver Spring Township during trick or treat hours.
The candy was picked up somewhere in the area of Pine Hill Avenue, North Locust Lane, Sunset Drive, and Marble Street.
“I gave out candy….it wasn’t me," said Nancy, another resident in the neighborhood.
Silver Spring Township police released photos, showing one of the needles lodged into an Airheads candy.
Police say the same family also found one in a Butterfinger, as well as a bag of Skittles.
“We’re one hundred percent sure they were not there accidentally," said Chief Christopher Raubenstine of the Silver Spring Township Police Department. "This was an intentional act.”
Neighbors can’t believe it happened here.
“Especially this neighborhood, it’s such a quiet, laid back area," said Meek.
“I just don’t know why someone would do such a thing," added Nancy. "My God, it’s for the kids, it’s a kid thing. Let them be, let them have their thing. Next thing they’ll be canceling Halloween.”
Police say the investigation is in its early stages, but if they catch the person responsible criminal charges will be filed.
As of Wednesday morning, there had been no other reports of tampered candy but Chief Raubenstine is urging families to diligently check each piece.
“I don’t believe it’s targeted in any way, that would be really difficult to target specific individuals," he said. "We don’t know if there are more. Obviously if there’s three, there could be more.”
If anyone finds a piece of tampered candy or has any information, they're asked to contact Silver Spring Township police at 717-697-0607.
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