Police investigating theft suspect who sprayed store employees with bear spray

Kingston Police are requesting public assistance to identify the male pictured, the suspect in a theft and assault at a north-end clothing store.

At approximately 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, the male suspect entered a store located on Dalton Avenue, police said. There, he grabbed an armful of clothing items and attempted to leave the store without paying, however, he was confronted by store employees.

“The suspect then produced what is believed to be bear spray and sprayed the staff members before fleeing from the store,” Kingston Police said in a media release on Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023.

“He was seen running away from the store and was then picked up in a silver SUV with a broken window on the rear driver’s side. The broken window had been covered with a light coloured cardboard/plastic.”

The suspect, as pictured above in still photos taken from surveillance footage, is described as a Caucasian male with fair skin. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a grey/black/white camouflage hoodie under a green/black/beige camouflage vest, with a black mask up to his nose.

The suspect vehicle was a silver or white SUV with black roof rails, and appears to be a 2017 or 2018 Dodge Journey, according to police.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this suspect or the location of the suspect vehicle is asked to contact Detective Craig Boyce at 613-549-4660 ext. 6246, or via email at [email protected].

Tips can also be made anonymously by calling the Kingston Police general number (613-549-4660 ext. 0) and requesting to remain anonymous.