Shoplifter Pepper Sprays Arlington Store Employee: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — Police are searching for a shoplifter who pepper sprayed an employee trying to keep him from making off with merchandise, police say.

Police were called to the 2100 block of 15th Street N at around 8:49 p.m. on July 29 to a report of a larceny, according to a report from the Arlington County Police Department.

"[T]he male suspect entered a business and began browsing merchandise," the report states. "An employee observed the suspect allegedly place items into his bag and confronted him. A brief struggle ensued and the suspect sprayed the employee with pepper spray, before fleeing prior to police arrival."

Police described the man as black, in his 20s, and wearing a white t-shirt with blue overalls.