Ex-Con Allegedly Maced Security Guard After Girlfriend Held For Shoplifting

SAN JACINTO (CBS) — A former convict accused of using pepper spray to attack a store security guard during an attempted shoplifting attempt was behind bars on Friday.

Sammy Young Weakley, 48, was booked on suspicion of assault with a chemical and being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon for the alleged attack outside a store in the 1800 block of South San Jacinto Avenue.

Weakley was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

Shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday, Weakley's girlfriend, identified as Chante Park, walked into a shop, allegedly shoved an item into her purse and tried to leave without paying for it, according to Riverside County sheriff's officials.

When Park left the business, a store loss prevention officer detained her, at which point Weakley rushed to her aid, according to the Sheriff's Department.

The suspect allegedly pulled out a can of pepper spray and used it on the security guard, then fled the location. Weakley ran into a mobile home park about two blocks away, where he was found and taken into custody without incident.

Park was cited for alleged shoplifting and released from custody.

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