A Calgary man has been arrested and charged with one count of Theft and three counts of Assault with a Weapon among other charges following an incident where CrossIron Mills mall employees were pepper sprayed on April 24.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., Marc Steve Powell, an 18-year-old Calgary resident attempted to steal several pairs of jeans valued at more than $1,600 from a store in the Balzac mall.
Powell fled the store and was pursued by store employees and mall security, before becoming engaged in a struggle where Powell deployed a concealed can of pepper spray.
Powell then fled from the mall towards Highway 2, where he was intercepted by Airdrie RCMP, who chased him down on foot.
The 18 year old managed to flag down a vehicle that was subsequently pulled over by members of Airdrie RCMP Traffic Services, Airdrie Rural RCMP and RCMP Police Dog Service.
He was arrested without any further incident.
Store employees and mall security personnel who were involved in the altercation were treated for pepper spray exposure by Alberta Health Services and were released. All stolen property was recovered.
In addition to the Theft and Assault with a Weapon charges, Powell faces charges of Resisting Arrest, one count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, one count of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, and one count of Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to Public.
