Pepper spray threat leads to robbery arrest at Modesto Safeway

A theft turned into a robbery at the Safeway on McHenry Avenue when one of the suspects threatened to pepper spray a loss prevention officer.

The loss prevention officer stopped a woman trying to leave the store with alcohol in her purse at about 2:23 a.m. Thursday, said Modesto Police spokeswoman Heather Graves.

The woman screamed for help when and her alleged accomplice told the loss prevention officer he’d pepper spray him if he didn’t let her go.

The couple was found a short time later at a McDonald’s across the street. They gave officers false names but officers learned the true identity of both, Graves said.

Suspect Justin Osgood, 41, was found to be in possession of a large can of pepper spray.

He and co-defendant Lauren Adams, 25, were arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and providing false identification to a peace officer.

This story was originally published July 30, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Pepper spray threat leads to robbery arrest at Modesto Safeway."