Thief Pepper Sprayed Employee To Steal Tools: Nassau Police

Nassau police are looking for a man who pepper sprayed a store employee who was trying to stop him from shoplifting yesterday afternoon.

According to police, the man pictured above entered the Sears in the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream at noon. The man took several tools from a display shelf and put them in a bag. A male employee tried to stop the man from leaving the store, and the man took out a pepper spray can and prayed the employee in the face. The thief than ran north through the parking lot towards Sunrise Highway.

The employee refused medical attention at the scene.

The man was last seen wearing a black winter jacket, black cargo pants, brown boots and a black hat.

Police ask anyone with information about this crime, or about the man, to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain anonymous, and you could receive a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

Photo courtesy Nassau County Police Department