Pepper Spray Attack At Salvation Army Store Sends 5 To Hospital

OAK LAWN, IL — A pepper spray attack inside a thrift store on Thursday afternoon sent five people to area hospitals with respiratory issues. Two other people drove themselves, Oak Lawn fire officials said.

The Oak Lawn fire crews responded to a report of a possible hazmat situation just after 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center on 87th Street and Cicero Avenue. When firefighters arrived, customers and employees were standing outside the store. The fire department enacted an EMS Plan 2, calling for more ambulances to transport patients.

“An unknown individual sprayed pepper spray inside the store affecting several people,” said Chief Mike Mavrogeorge, of the Oak Lawn Fire Department. “A couple of people had asthma and were having trouble breathing.”

Ten ambulances from nearby towns assisted in the call, including Burbank and Chicago Ridge. Patients were brought to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and Palos Community Hospital, “whoever could take them,” Mavrogeorge said.

Div. Chief Ross Finnelly, of the Oak Lawn Police Department, said no arrests were made and police do not have a suspect. The investigation is hampered because the store does not have security cameras. Customers in the store are frequent targets of wallet and purse thefts when shopping.

“We’ve been trying to get the store to install cameras for a long time,” Finnelly said.