REHOBOTH BEACH, DE – A black male shoplifter pepper-sprayed a store employee who confronted him while he was attempting to leave the store without paying for his items at a store in the Tanger Surfside Outlets.
According to the Delaware State Police, on Monday, at approximately 2:40 p.m., an unknown male subject entered the Fragrance Hut located at 35016 Midway Outlet Drive.
“The suspect gathered numerous bottles of cologne and began leaving the store without rendering payment for the items. When he was approached by a store employee, the suspect confronted the victim with a can of pepper spray. The suspect exited the store and fled the scene in a blue Kia Optima, and was last seen proceeding southbound on Coastal Highway,” police reported. “Troopers responded to the area and observed the vehicle on southbound Coastal Highway traveling towards Bethany Beach.”
Officers from the Bethany Beach Police Department attempted to stop the Kia, but the driver failed to stop.
“A brief pursuit ensued, which was discontinued due to traffic conditions. Officers established a perimeter in the Bethany Beach area in an attempt to locate the Kia Optima, but were unsuccessful in doing so. No one was injured in this incident, and the suspect remains at-large,” police reported.
The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’00” – 6’02” tall, with a thin build. There are no surveillance images available at this time.