Winnipeg teenager caught shoplifting by customers: WPS

A 17-year-old Winnipeg teenager attempted to rob a Saint Boniface 7-Eleven when two men in the store held him back until police arrived.

According to the Winnipeg Police Service, it happened around 2:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Road and Niverville Avenue.

According to police, the suspect entered the store wearing a mask, armed with bear spray and demanded money from a 22-year-old cashier. At the time, there were two customers in the store: a 29-year-old man and a 38-year-old man.

“The suspect threw the canister directly at the 38-year-old patron, who intervened and a physical struggle ensued,” WPS said in a statement. “The suspect continued to release the bear spray as a second patron intervened. Two patrons held the suspect until the police arrived.”

According to the police, the victims were affected by bear spray.

The 17-year-old was charged with robbery, assault with a weapon and failure to comply, among other crimes. He was imprisoned in a temporary detention facility.