Thief pepper-sprays clerk chasing him

MILLCREEK — A woman who chased after a man who police believe was armed and had robbed her store was slightly injured over the weekend when the robber turned to dispense pepper spray on her.

About 3:45 p.m. Saturday, a man walked into the Smoke Shop, 320 E. 3900 South, showed the employee a handgun under his coat, reached across the counter to grab money and left, said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Don Hutson.

After the man left, the woman went after him. But as she got close to him, he turned around and sprayed her in the face, Hutson said.

The man was described as about 6 feet tall, in his mid-30s with dark, medium-length hair. He was last seen wearing a dark flannel shirt and a dark hooded jacket, and he was driving a green Geo Prizm or Dodge Neon.

The woman was treated and released from the hospital. Hutson said the sheriff's office does not encourage people to chase after criminals, especially those believed to be armed.

Anyone with information on the robbery can call the sheriff's office at 801-743-7000.

— Pat Reavy