Shoplifters spray chemical into security agent’s eyes www.privateofficer.com
New Castle DE May 9 2012 A security guard at a Brandywine Hundred store was assaulted Monday afternoon by three shoplifters who sprayed him in the face with a chemical and fled with store merchandise, police said today.
The incident occurred about 1:20 p.m. at the T.J. Maxx store at 5627 Concord Pike, Master Cpl. Jeffrey Hale said.
The trio — two men and a woman — were spotted removing items on display and shoving the merchandise into a backpack and a handbag they were carrying.
As the three were attempted to leave the store, they were confronted by the 39-year-old Loss Prevention officer.
One of the men dressed in a red hooded sweatshirt and light-colored pants started to run with the security officer chasing him.
Hale said the thief then turned toward the security officer and sprayed him in the face with a disabling chemical spray, which caused the officer to stop in his tracks.
The man in the red hooded sweatshirt then ran off.
The other man and woman also fled.
The officer, meanwhile, declined treatment for the chemical sprays’ effects.
Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to call detectives at 834-2630, ext. 6 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800)TIP-3333.
