MIAMI – Police are searching for a woman who pepper-sprayed an elevator at Macy's, which led to the department store at Dadeland Mall to be evacuated Saturday afternoon.
Investigators said a male and female accomplices were observed together inside of the Dadeland Mall Macy's at 7303 SW 88th St. at 4:45 p.m. Saturday.
After observing the male shoplifting inside of the store, loss prevention staff approached and detained him, police said.
The loss prevention team took him into the first-floor elevator when a woman attempted to enter it. Police said she asked to wait for another elevator when she began pepper-spraying into the elevator in an attempt the free the person arrested. She then ran out the department store in an unknown direction.
The pepper spray went into Macy's air ventilation system, which police said led to the second and third floors being evacuated.
One of the loss prevention security personnel complained of trouble breathing, police said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel took him to a nearby hospital.
Police said the woman attacked five Macy's department store loss prevention security personnel altogether.
Police are looking for the woman who sprayed the irritant. She is described by police as 25-30, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds, with dreadlocks combed in two ponytails. She wore a black sports bra, black leggings and a black hat. She may be armed with pepper spray.
At least 350-400 people had to be evacuated from the store. Police said the remainder of the mall was not interrupted.