Man charged after two others hit by bear spray

A 22-year-old Grande Prairie man is facing charges after two other men were hit by bear spray while trying to stop a suspected shoplifter.

Macauley Boivin is facing nine charges, including two counts of assault with a weapon, two more of possession of a prohibited weapon, theft, possession of a controlled substance and three counts of failure to comply with recognizance.

Grande Prairie RCMP say just before noon February 28, they were called to a disturbance at Canadian Tire.

They found one man being restrained by another. Police say the man being detained was suspected of trying to steal from the store and had been chased by an employee and a bystander. The two were both bear sprayed during the chase. RCMP describe their injuries as minor.