Suspect pepper-sprays drugstore employees during South Side robberies

A man has pepper-sprayed employees during two drugstore robberies in the Avalon Park and Morgan Park neighborhoods on the South Side.

The robberies happened at 10:11 a.m. Dec. 24 in the 8700 block of South Stony Island; and 11 a.m. Jan. 15 in the 11000 block of South Western Avenue, according to a community alert from Area South detectives.

In both instances, the suspect approached the counter and pretended to purchase something, police said. As the cashier opened the register, he pulled out a canister of pepper spray and sprayed the employee’s face, then took money from the register and ran out.

The suspect is described as a black man between 30 and 40, 5-foot-7 to 6-foot-2, 160-225 pounds with an afro and medium complexion.

Anyone with information should call Area South detectives at (312) 747-8273.