Vancouver police look for man who allegedly bear sprayed London Drugs employee while stealing

Vancouver police are looking for witnesses to a violent attack Tuesday that involved ashoplifting suspect assaultinga London Drugsemployee withbear mace.

Police said Thursday in a statement thata man walked into the flagship store atGranville and West Georgia streets at around 3p.m. on Tuesday.

He appeared to be shopping for vitamins but when security staff noticed he was putting the bottles into his backpack without paying, they confronted him.

Police said that's when the manattacked the employee.

"The suspect used bear mace against astore employee," said Const.Tania Visintin."The spray was applied directly to the victim's face."

Police investigators are now looking for awhite malein his 40s or 50s,about five feet, five inches tall with an average build.

He was wearing a black hooded sweater with a black jacket, dark blue jeans, and a baseball cap with a yellow brim, the statement said.

The suspect was also wearing a blue medical mask and carrying a black backpack.

Anyonewho recognizes the suspect from the photo is asked to callVancouver Police at 604-717-4021.