Man charged with spraying stolen bear mace while fleeing Washington Square Mall

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – A man faces several charges after he allegedly fled the scene of a robbery at Washington Square Mall by using stolen bear spray against a store manager, police announced Thursday.

Officials said 26-year-old Peter Lent had stolen merchandise from a store in the mall on Oct. 14, used the bear spray to get away, and left the area before he could be arrested.

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"Due to the effects of the bear spray in the air, several other people reported irritation from exposure to the spray," according to Tigard police. "Fortunately, no one reported serious injury or needed to go to the hospital."

Investigators later tied Lent to two other incidents where merchandise – including bear spray – had been stolen from other stores earlier that day. Police also believe he stole an electric bike from a Tualatin store on Oct. 9.

Large police presence after shots fired off Capitol Highway, one hospitalized

Lent was arrested on Wednesday, and now faces charges of first-degree theft, two counts of second-degree theft, third-degree robbery, and unlawful use of a stun gun/mace.