2 charged after bear-spraying staff, stealing $25K of goods from Vancouver Arc’teryx

A man and woman have been charged after bear-spraying staff at an Arc’teryx in Vancouver on Monday and dashing out with $25,000-worth of goods.

According to Vancouver police, the pair entered the high-end retailer near West 4th Avenue and Arbutus Street in Kitsilano around 6:30 p.m.

Police said they sprayed a security guard, nabbed the items and fled in a taxi as officers were en route to the shop.

The security guard was treated by paramedics at the scene.

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Police said a bystander took a photo of the taxi and officers were able to chase it down.

They arrested one suspect in the taxi near Burrard Street and East 2nd Avenue and the other shortly afterward near East Hastings and Gore Street.

The 35-year-old man is charged with theft, assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, while the 30-year-old woman is charged with theft. He remains in custody until his next court appearance, while she has been released with court-imposed conditions, Const. Tania Visintin said Wednesday.