Pepper spray played a role in two thefts at the Madison West Towne Mall.
The first involved Madison resident Danielle M. Goree, who was arrested on Wednesday and is facing charges of shoplifting and threatening to use pepper spray.
Goree, 28, allegedly stole jewelry from the Sears Department Store at West Towne Mall Aug. 31. When two Sears employees tried to stop her, police said she tried to use pepper spray against them.
""The victims said the suspect definitely sprayed them, but she suggested nothing came out of her canister when she pushed the button,"" Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said in a statement.
Descriptions given to police by the employees and store surveillance video led to Wednesday's arrest, police said.
Pepper spray was also an involved in another West Towne Mall theft Sept. 1, when authorities said the suspects got into a tugging match with an employee at Hollister.
DeSpain said the struggle was over a Disney bag allegedly filled with Hollister merchandise, and the women also wrapped additional Hollister merchandise over their shoulders.
The Hollister employee chased after the suspects as they drove away in a black Chevrolet Impala, but police said one of the teen suspects he tried to stop attacked him twice with pepper spray as he tried to take a picture with his cell phone.
Police described the oldest suspect as a black woman between 35-40 years old, around 5'2"", lighter complexion and a heavier build. At the time of theft she was wearing a blue top and plaid shorts with her hair worn in a ponytail.
The other female suspects were described as being black teenagers, 5'5"" with a thin build.
