Newark (19713) – The Delaware State Police are investigating a shoplifting incident that turned into a robbery after a Home Depot employee was sprayed with pepper spray by a fleeing suspect.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:52 a.m., Monday, October 8, 2018 at the Home Depot, located at 1301 Churchman’s Rd., Newark, when an employee observed a group of known shoplifters in the store. The group which consists of two males and one female, have been tied to multiple shoplifting incidents that have taken place at Home Depot locations in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

The group had loaded a large quantity of power tools into two separate shopping carts and proceeded to exit the store without rendering payment. The employee followed the group in to the parking lot to an awaiting Honda CRV with New York tags, at which time the female suspect sprayed him with pepper spray. The suspects were able to make off with the contents of one of the shopping carts but left the second behind.

Anyone who may know the identity or whereabouts of the pictured suspects are asked to contact Cpl. M. Fiore at Troop 6 by calling 302-633-5000.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:100918 1230

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