Manhattan Nike Thief Pepper-Sprays Employee, Police Say

HARLEM, NY — Police were looking Tuesday for a man who shoplifted at the Harlem Nike store and then pepper-sprayed an employee, New York City Police Department officials said.

According to the NYPD, the perpetrator entered the store, located at 5 West 125th St. on Feb. 23 at 4:38 p.m., took some merchandise, and then attempted to leave the store without paying.

A 49-year-old Nike employee tried to stop the man and got pepper-sprayed in the face, authorities said.

Then, medics treated the victim at the scene for eye redness and pain, and the thief ran away and was last seen on West 126th Street, police said.

Police are investigating the incident, and have not made any arrests yet, but said the suspect was a man roughly 35-40 years old last seen wearing a green winter hat and black jacket.

This is a developing story and may be updated. For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.