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Underage teens arrested for assaulting Port Moody liquor store employees with bear spray

The trio retaliated and fled to a nearby SkyTrain station after they were refused service.
bear-spray
Three underage teens were arrested the night of Jan. 5, 2022, after assaulting employees with bear mace at a Port Moody liquor store.

Charges are still pending for three teenagers who assaulted multiple employees at a liquor store in Port Moody this week.

An investigation continues as the trio bear-sprayed several staff members after they were denied service — all of whom were under the legal drinking age of 19.

Port Moody police (PMPD) were called to the scene at around 5:15 p.m. last night (Jan. 5) after hearing three "clearly underage" youths tried to buy alcohol at a local liquor store.

When they were refused service, one of them pulled out a concealed can of bear mace, sprayed multiple employees and fled on foot to a nearby SkyTrain station.

PMPD spokesperson Const. Sam Zacharias explains they were ultimately tracked down in New Westminster.

The three were arrested with the help of New West Police Department officers.

"It is unfortunate that front-line employees took the brunt of this unnecessary and vindictive act of violence," says Zacharias in a news release today (Jan. 6).

"Any other victims or witnesses inside the store who have not yet spoken to police are asked to contact us."

Crown Counsel has yet to approve charges as of this publication.

No other information is being released at this time.