2 Teens Arrested For Spraying Mace In Evanston Grocery Stores: Police

EVANSTON, IL — Two teen boys were arrested Monday for spraying mace in the air at two downtown Evanston grocery stores, hospitalizing one person, according to police.

According to Evanston Police Department Commander Ryan Glew, officers received a phone call at approximately 11:40 a.m. about two young boys spraying pepper spray into the air at a Jewel-Osco in the 1200 block of Chicago Avenue.

Police said the teens didn't seem to be targeting any specific person with the mace.

A short while later, the police department received another report of two young boys spraying mace into the air at the Whole Foods in the 1600 block of Chicago Avenue. According to reports from social media, the Whole Foods was evacuated due to the incident.

When police arrived at the scene, officers located a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old and took them into custody. The teens are currently being held at the Evanston Police Department's juvenile bureau.

According to Glew, one person was taken to the hospital for exposure to pepper spray and another reported burning eyes in relation to the incident.

The incidents are still under investigation, Glew told Patch.