Shoplifting Suspect Pepper Sprays Walmart Employee: Police

PUYALLUP, WA — The Puyallup Police Department is asking the public for help identifying a shoplifter who pepper=sprayed a Walmart employee earlier this month.

According to police, back on Feb. 7 the suspect entered the Walmart and tried to shoplift a few hardware accessories. A Walmart Loss Prevention employee spotted the theft-in-progress and tried to stop it, but when the employee started speaking to the woman, she pulled out a can of pepper spray and doused the employee.

The suspect then took off, meeting another woman outside and running to a parked car. During their attempt to pull their car out of the lot, officers say they also nearly hit another vehicle.

The escape car is described as a small, white SUV with tinted rear windows. The exact model has not been identified, but police say it may be a Ford make.

Police ask that anyone who knows anything about this incident or who recognizes the suspect give them a call at (253) 770-3343 or by emailing their tips line at tips@puyallupwa.gov.