Kamloops RCMP are investigating after a shoplifter who stole a jacket from the Atmosphere store threatened an employee with bear spray.

Sgt. Darren Michels says it happened around 5 p.m. yesterday, noting the shoplifter was confronted by a staff member as he tried to leave the store at the Columbia Place Shopping Centre.

“During the struggle the male produced a large canister of bear spray as a threat and aimed it at the staff member,” he said. “Fortunately the bear spray did not deploy and the male ran from the business with the jacket.”

“We are very happy that the bear spray did not deploy on the staff member and that no serious injuries occurred during this incident.”

Michels says it appears that the same suspect was likely responsible for other thefts in the area.

“Our investigation continues but if there are other businesses in this area that have experienced thefts by a male matching the same description and not yet reported it,  we are asking that they please contact us,” he added.

The suspect is a white man, standing five-foot-nine, weighing about 160 lbs. He was wearing a camouflage baseball cap, a grey hoody, red t-shirt, jeans, and black and white runners. He also has an eyebrow piercing over one eye and a blue/green tattoo of two lines over his left eye.

At the time of the incident, he was carrying a black duffle bag with “A+ Teacher” visible on the outside.

“We are hoping that the photographs and the unique description of the male may help us identify this suspect,” Michels added.

Anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Kamloops RCMP at or Crimestoppers.