Two masked bandits tried to rob a pawn shop in Orange City by deploying bear spray in the store, resulting in five people being treated for chemical irritation, police said.
The incident occurred May 13 around 5:53 p.m. at Value Pawn located at 2325 S. Volusia Ave., according to the Orange City Police Department.
Police are still looking for the suspects and asked for the public’s help in finding them. Orange City police Capt. Jason Ward said surveillance video or photographs of the incident will be released as soon as they become available.
Suspects armed with hammer and bear spray tried to rob Orange City pawn shop, police say
Orange City police said that the two masked men entered Value Pawn armed with a hammer the bear spray.
Once inside, the suspect with the hammer struck a jewelry display case damaging it, but was unable to gain entry into the glass case, police said.
The suspect carrying the bear spray discharged the chemical in the direction of employees and customers inside the business. Three employees and two customers were affected by the chemical irritant and were treated on scene by Orange City Fire Department, according to police.
Suspects in attempted Orange City pawn shop robbery flee empty handed
Unable to steal anything, the masked suspects fled and ran northbound on North Volusia Avenue, police said.
An immediate search by responding officers, assisted by police dogs and a sheriff’s helicopter, failed to locate the suspects, police said.
Police ask that anyone with information regarding the attempted robbery or the identity of the suspects contact Det. Sgt. Timothy Theriault or Det. Berenice Martell of the Orange City Police Department at 386-775-9999 or ttheriault@orangecityfl.gov, bmartell@orangecityfl.gov .
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Bear spray used in attempted Orange City pawn shop robbery, cops say
Reporting by Patricio G. Balona, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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