Bucktown Store Employees Pepper-Sprayed By Thieves

CHICAGO — A group of thieves pepper-sprayed two employees at a clothing shop in the Bucktown neighborhood Monday night, police said. The incident occurred at about 8 p.m. in the 1800 block of North Avenue, according to police.

A group of eight to ten people was creating a disturbance in the Akira store, and began taking merchandise without paying, police said. Two employees then confronted the group, and one of the thieves pepper sprayed them, according to police. The group then ran out of the store.

One of the offenders was caught and taken into custody after he was positively identified by the employees, police said.

The items that were stolen were found dumped in an alley, according to police.

The employees who were pepper-sprayed declined medical attention, police said.

File photo by Amber Fisher/Patch