The incident occurred at about 8:33 p.m. in the 1800-block of North Avenue. Police said a group of eight to ten people was creating a disturbance in the Akira store and began taking items without paying.
When two employees confronted them, one of the thieves sprayed them with pepper spray, police said. The group then ran out the store, but one of the suspects was caught.
The employees refused medical attention, police said. The stolen items were recovered in an alley.