Thief Steals Teeth Whitener, Sprays Employee With Pepper Spray

A would-be male shopper stealing dental hygiene products from a Downers Grove pharmacy doused a shift supervisor with pepper spray before escaping with assorted teeth whitening products, reports said.

Downers Grove police responded to the CVS store at 400 Ogden Avenue for a reported retail theft around 7:51 p.m. June 6.

The shift supervisor told police he was walking through the store around 7:15 p.m. when he noticed a male subject standing in the dental hygiene section. As a loss prevention measure, the shift supervisor offered his assistance.

After approaching him, the shift supervisor said the shopper seemed to notice him and quickly headed toward the exit.

The shift supervisor followed the shopper to the door, when he notice several bulky items protruding from his clothing. Informing the shopper of the visible merchandise underneath his clothing, he asked the shopper to follow him to the back office.

The shopper suddenly ran toward the exit door with the shift supervisor in pursuit, when the shopper removed a small canister from his pocket.

According to the report, the shopper sprayed the shift supervisor’s arm and torso, stopping his advance and enabling the shopper to escape.

The shift supervisor told police that his skin began to burn. By the odor, the shift supervisor recognized the liquid as pepper spray. He washed his skin and changed clothes, then called police to file the report.

The stolen items totaling $820.61 included:

• Two Abreva teeth whitening strips, $22.99 each.

• 6 Crest (Advanced Seal) whitening strips, $44.99 each.

• 3 Crest (Vivid) teeth whitening strips, $33.79 each.

• 3 Crest (DGN) teeth whitening strips, $42.79 each

• 5 Crest (3D W PR) teeth whitening strips, $54.99 each

The police report provided no further information about the male suspect’s age or physical description.