Police say pair who robbed Caldwell County store sprayed workers with pepper spray

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Police are still looking for the suspects in a violent robbery at a Caldwell County sporting goods store.

It happened while many were watching the Super Bowl, along Highway 321 in Lenoir at the Dunham’s Sports Store.

In a Monday update, police said the thieves were in the business for about 30 minutes and stole pepper spray. They sprayed two workers with it, police said.

The two men stole hundreds of dollars in merchandise Sunday night just before closing time, officers said. Investigators said the men filled up a large duffel bag with stolen items. The bag itself had also been stolen from the store. Store workers confronted the suspects near the entrance, police said.

Officers said the pair pulled out the pepper spray and used it on two employees. The suspects then ran away from the scene.

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Suspects in a violent robbery at a Caldwell County sporting goods store

Several customers were outraged by the incident.

“Robbing and stealing like they do, a man ought to go out there and work and earn his living,” Barry Coffey told Channel 9 Monday.

“Some of it does surprise me. Especially hurting people like that. It does surprise me a lot,” resident Crystal Tallant said.

Police said both employees flushed their eyes with water after the incident. One worker told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty her vision was still blurry Monday morning.

Channel 9 asked police what workers should do if they notice someone shoplifting in a store, and whether or not they should try to intervene.

“We recommend just contacting the police department instead of taking initial action in cases where they can be injured or hurt. It’s always best to contact the police department,” Lenoir Police Lt. Jody Herman said.

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Thieves swipe more than $35,000 worth of designer bags from NC boutique

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