North Fulton County

Police: Shoplifters pepper-sprayed store employees

NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Alpharetta police are searching for a group of shoplifting suspects who they say pepper-sprayed employees as they tried to bolt from a store.

The incident happened last Saturday at a Carter’s location on North Point Parkway.

“Three girls just stole from the store and then they sprayed Mace,” a 911 caller told police.

An employee told dispatchers what happened.

“We were trying to guard the doors to stop them from leaving. They got aggressive and ran through the door,” she said. “We tried to stop them and they sprayed Mace at both a part-time store supervisor and the assistant store manager.”

Surveillance cameras captured the moment one of the suspects sprayed the women.

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“It’s just disturbing to us for a variety of reasons,” Alpharetta Department of Public Safety officer George Gordon told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik.

Gordon said it started when employees noticed three women filling bags with clothing.

“One of the employees walked up to the female to ask her if she needed any help and really to find out what’s going on,” Gordon said.

Gordon said if caught, at least one of the suspects could be facing charges for felony robbery and aggravated assault.

Shoppers told Petchenik they had no sympathy for the thieves, even though they needed children’s clothes.

“I don’t think stealing is any kind of option, ever,” said Vivien Harmon. “If there’s really a need I’m sure Goodwill, Salvation Army, all kinds of different foundations ... can help you with that.”