Surveillance camera footage has shown the moment when a woman flouted social distancing rules and went on an unhygienic licking spree in a cafe in Sumter, South Carolina, on Monday.
The unidentified woman, who was seen wearing a black tracksuit, is currently being sought after by law enforcement after she went into Sub Station II on Peach Orchard Road, per an incident report from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, according to The Item.
Watch the troubling incident below:The woman entered the establishment at around 2:10 PM, where she reportedly ordered a sub, chips and drink.
The restaurant manager told deputies that the woman licked her fingers as she was getting cash to give to the clerk. The woman then allegedly continued licking her palm and spread her hands over the card reader. While workers made her meal, the woman started licking quarters and placed them in the tip jar. Per the report, she left the store without her meal, threw away her drink, and said: "It's in god's hands now."
The manager also told deputies that the woman stated she would be returning to the restaurant. Law enforcement searched other restaurants in the area in order to locate the woman, but she was not found.
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around what happened," said John Ruffalo, chief financial officer for Sub Station II. "It was just craziness."
Ruffalo said that the woman was laughing at the situation, which confused him and his employees, as she proceeded to spend more than $15 on a meal, that she then left without. "This was one of those things that there's no explanation for it," he added.
Ruffalo detailed that employees sanitised the restaurant, because they were not sure of what she did or did not touch.
"This incident is unsettling, especially given the situation with COVID-19," said Deputy Adrienne Sarvis, public information officer for the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. "Our investigations division is looking into this and researching possible charges for the subject when she is identified because of this unique situation."
