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Man stuffing markers in pocket sets off pepper spray in Michaels, Arizona police say

A man shoplifting markers at a Michael’s store in Tempe, Arizona, accidentally set off pepper spray on shoppers, police say.
A man shoplifting markers at a Michael’s store in Tempe, Arizona, accidentally set off pepper spray on shoppers, police say. Screengrab from KNXV video

A man shoplifting inside a craft store accidentally set off pepper spray, exposing other shoppers to the chemical irritant, Arizona police told news outlets.

Other shoppers reported the man was stuffing stolen markers in his pockets in a Michaels store at 10:45 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21, in Tempe, KSAZ reported.

A canister of pepper spray went off in his pocket, apparently by accident, as store employees moved to confront him, The Arizona Republic reported.

The man dashed from the store at a shopping mall, according to AZ Family. Police are looking for him.

Six people were treated by firefighters, most for eye irritation, KNXV reported.

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Don Sweeney
The Sacramento Bee
Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.
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