Kohl's shoplifter armed with pepper spray subdues loss prevention officer

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Merced Kohl's Loss Prevention employee tried stopping a shoplifting suspect on Wednesday but instead had to try to prevent himself from getting injured.

In a press release, the Merced Police Department says they responded and contacted Kohl's Loss Prevention regarding a theft.

It was learned that a subject, described as a white male adult, brown hair, blue eyes, approximately 5'9", 175 pounds had taken in excess of $1,000.00 dollars in merchandise without paying for the merchandise.

When the Kohl's Loss Prevention employee tried to detain the suspect, the suspect sprayed him with pepper spray. The suspect also physically assaulted the Loss Prevention employee.

The suspect was last seen getting into a red Honda and fleeing the mall. A picture of the suspect was captured from Kohl's video surveillance.

The Loss Prevention employee is expected to recover from the incident.