On Friday night at about 8:55 two off-duty police officers shopping at Walmart heard an employee yelling at a man stealing a television who threatened to use bear spray against staff.
Both officers chased the man through the parking lot heading towards Highway 97.
When one officer caught the suspect and identified himself the man dropped the TV and sprayed the officer in the face with bear spray at close range. The second officer was also hit with the spray and the suspect managed to escape.
Police set up an containment area, said the news release, and the Police Dog Service attended from Prince George.
The suspected robber remains on the loose.
It is believed he may have had an accomplice waiting for him in a vehicle.
Both police officers have recovered from the bear spray incident.
Police ask anyone with information about the man involved in this incident to call the Quesnel Detachment at 250-992-9211 or BC Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
