In a shocking workplace incident, a 60-year-old man from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was arrested after he admitted to pouring steering fluid into one of his employee’s drinks. The suspect, identified as Steven R. Cox, worked as a supervisor at ETE Reman, a car transmission manufacturer.
The motive? Cox told police it was because the employee was “always talking trash” about him. The alleged act, which could have had serious health consequences, has led to criminal charges and growing concern over workplace safety.
The Incident at ETE Reman
Milwaukee police responded to a call at ETE Reman around 3 p.m. on June 5. According to the criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, the situation began a day earlier when one of Cox’s employees became sick after drinking from a bottle of Arizona iced tea.
The victim, whose name was not released, told police he had placed two drinks in the freezer — a fruit punch and an Arizona Ginseng Iced Tea — upon arriving at work around 1:45 p.m.
Later, when he went to take a sip of his iced tea, he noticed something was off. The rim of the bottle felt greasy, and there was a strong chemical smell coming from it. Suspecting he had been poisoned, he showed the drink to several coworkers, including Cox himself. The victim went to urgent care after becoming ill from the tainted drink.
Video Footage Reveals the Culprit
Following the complaint, the company’s human resources department reviewed footage from the employee break room. The surveillance video allegedly showed Cox entering the room with two Pure Leaf tea bottles. He then approached the freezer, checked if anyone else was nearby, and picked up the victim’s iced tea.
The video reportedly showed Cox pouring something into the bottle from his own drink container. Afterward, he washed his Pure Leaf bottle in the sink and threw it in the trash.
A human resources manager retrieved the discarded bottle, which reportedly had the same greasy residue and chemical smell as the victim’s iced tea. This evidence played a key role in identifying Cox as the suspect.
Cox’s Admission and Arrest
When confronted by HR, Cox initially denied any wrongdoing, saying the victim was “always glaring at him.” However, when questioned by police, Cox allegedly confessed. He admitted to pouring power steering fluid into the victim’s drink and described the act as a “prank.” He further stated that he had “always had an issue” with the employee and believed the victim was constantly bad-mouthing him at work.
Cox was arrested and charged with placing foreign objects in edibles, a serious offense under Wisconsin law. He was booked into jail and later released on bond. He has been assigned a public defender, and his next court hearing is scheduled for June 28.
This disturbing case highlights how workplace tensions can dangerously escalate when left unresolved. What Cox referred to as a “prank” could have resulted in severe health consequences, or worse. His actions not only endangered his coworker but also shook the trust and safety of the entire workplace.
As the legal process unfolds, the incident serves as a clear warning about the serious consequences of personal grudges in professional settings — and the importance of addressing conflicts through proper channels.
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