Lake Wylie Waffle House, pet store workers pepper-sprayed during robberies

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Police are searching for the man they said robbed two Lake Wylie businesses, using pepper spray to assault the employees.

Officers said the suspect walked into the Pet Sense store on Latitude Lane on Aug. 2 and went to the register to make a purchase. He handed the worker a $5 bill and when she opened the register drawer, he pepper-sprayed her and grabbed cash before running off.

Four days later, police said the same man walked into the Waffle House on Charlotte Highway around 4 a.m. He went to pay for a burger and when the employee opened the register he pepper-sprayed her and stole the cash.

Police said the suspect also pepper-sprayed a cook before getting away.

He escaped in a dark-colored sedan, possibly a Nissan Maxima. Investigators said a woman was in the passenger seat.

Pet Sense customer Vicky Henderson said while the situation is terrible, she is glad it was only pepper spray and not something worse.

"I just think it's terrible," Henderson said. "To come in here at night with just one or two employees here, and do something like that. This sounds terrible, but I'm glad it wasn't something worse than pepper spray. That's bad enough."

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone who may information about the crimes should call the York County Sheriff's Office at 803-628-3059.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

Cox Media Group