Three people have been hospitalized after a chaotic robbery attempt in South Park Sunday afternoon, according to MEDIC.
Officials say a group of people tried to get away with items from the Harris Teeter on Sharon Road and Carnegie Boulevard.
The three suspects allegedly used a chemical spray on employees who confronted them, according to police.
Officers told Channel 9 that a man and two women came inside the store and were trying to steal wine.
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When some employees confronted the suspects, the suspects then used a strong variation of pepper spray, possibly bear spray. One of the managers was pushed down by one of the suspects.
The three people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Customers tell Channel 9′s Glenn Counts that they were shocked that something like this could happen at Morrocroft.
“No, no, no, not in SouthPark, come on, hello, so it’s shocking,” a customer said. “Well maybe they are just renovating but no, this is new and I’ve been here 10 years in this area.”
The suspects are still on the loose.
‘Very Disheartening’
A woman told Channel 9 that her father was badly injured during the robbery.
“It’s very disheartening to know that this is what our world is coming to and just somebody is just an innocent bystander,” Brittany Redmon said.
Redmon spoke to Channel 9′s Eli Brand, who stayed the night with her father, Bobby Lewis, last night.
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“You don’t expect it. That’s what has us all rattled up,” Redmon said. “To not know, you know you’re going into a grocery store. If you’re going to shop life you don’t have to hurt somebody.”
Redmon said her father is stable but in serious condition. Lewis received serious head trauma.
“Somebody who is well known in the community and well loved in that store was hurt,” Redmon said. “So, that’s all I really want people to know.”
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