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Pepper-spraying bandits attack 2 women in Rockdale County

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — Robbers carrying MACE and pepper spray held up two gas station convenience stores and attacked two female attendants in Rockdale County.

Channel 2's Tom Regan scaled through video of one of the crimes and pictures that authorities hope will lead to arrests.

Store surveillance video shows the robbers' attack on a female clerk. Rockdale investigators said their biggest concern is that the men may escalate the violence.

Video outside the Kangaroo station on Highway 155 shows two men rushing the woman. One of the men sprays Mace in her face while the other then throws her to the ground. They then order her back into the store. The terrified clerk goes behind the counter as one of the robbers looks into shelves and orders the woman to empty the cash register. All the while, he's swinging a large machete in his hand.

The robberies happened at the store on Highway 155 and another last weekend.

"In both cases you had two males on a single female attendant. We're very concerned that either the machete will be used or in the next, a handgun will be brought into the robberies," said Rockdale County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Scott Freeman.

Freeman showed Regan photos of the robbers, but he said it's difficult to identify the men, because their faces are shrouded in hoodies. Although the clerk keeps her hands on her head and complies with the robbers' demands, one sprays her in the face again before running out the store.

"There was no provocation by the attendant. It was apparent that she was complying. We have very grave concerns about what these two will do next," Freeman said.

Anyone with information leading to the robbers' arrest is asked to call the Rockdale County Police Department.