Shoppers at a California Costco rioted Thursday when they learned the store had sold out of bottled water.
With coronavirus-fearing customers swarming the Chino Valley store, the last case of bottled water sold shortly after 10 a.m., according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Discovering the retailer had run out of water, a few customers became "irritated" -- and it didn't take long for others to join in, according to sheriff's rep Cindy Bachman. The situation escalated until Costco employees, fearing for their safety, called 911. However, "after speaking with Costco staff and checking with customers, deputies determined no crime occurred," Bachman says.
The Chino Hills location wasn't the only Costco overrun with customers in the wake of coronavirus fears. An employee at the Marina del Rey Costco reported 823 people were lined up outside the store when it opened Thursday morning. The chain has limited purchases of water, paper towels and toilet paper to three per customer.
Why does the coronavirus require stocking up on water and toilet paper? Why are people acting like they're preparing for a hurricane?
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