TJ Maxx Worker Pepper-Sprayed By Woman Allegedly Shoplifting Designer Bags

A shoplifter pepper-sprayed a TJ Maxx employee in Massachusetts while she brazenly walked out of the store with thousands of dollars worth of designer goods, according to reports.

NBC affiliate 10 Boston broadcast a surveillance camera clip in which the woman can be seen carrying two pink Balenciaga bags and a St. Laurent hoodie in one hand while she made her way to the store's exit in Needham Street, Newton, on Sunday.

As the woman exited the store a TJ Maxx employee approached her and tried to prevent the shoplifter from leaving without paying for the items.

A second surveillance camera then captured the moment the shoplifter nonchalantly pepper-sprayed the employee and continued to walk away.

10 Boston reported that the employee was taken to a nearby hospital due to her eyes being swollen shut.

The incident was the second of its kind in Newton within the past month, according to the network.

Lt. Bruce Apotheker of the Newton Police Department (NPD) told 10 Boston: "This is very disturbing to us.

"We never want anybody, any employee, to ever try to stop someone, ever try to get involved in any way."

He said: "The way you should get involved is by being our eyes and ears. Because this is only mace used this time. Next time it could be some other instrument or some other kind of weapon that could be more deadly."

Police added they were also looking for two women who they said were involved in a robbery at a CVS in February, according to 10 Boston.

One of the suspects was accused of using pepper spray on an employee when they tried to intervene.

Newsweek has contacted the NPD for comment.

According to Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, PA, pepper spray irritates the eyes, causing a burning sensation, pain and temporary blindness by dilating the eyes' capillaries and inflaming mucus membranes.

It said: " In addition to affecting the eyes, it also inflames mucus membranes in the nose, throat, and lungs, causing breathing difficulties and a runny nose. The effects of pepper spray can last up to 24 hours, although vision often recovers on its own in about 15 minutes."

According to the Law Offices of Stephen Neyman, shoplifting can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the value of the stolen item and criminal record of the accused person.

If shoplifters take more than $100 in items, shoplifting can carry a jail sentence of 2 ½ years and a $1,000 fine.

While shoplifting is its own crime in Massachusetts, it can be charged as larceny if the stolen goods total over $100.