Suspect sought after chocolate bars stolen from Scugog grocery store, loss prevention officer pepper-sprayed

A Durham Regional Police officer's logo emblem is shown at a Bowmanville, Ont. shopping centre parking lot on Tuesday Feb. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives

Durham police are looking for a suspect after chocolate bars were stolen from a Scugog, Ont., grocery store and a loss prevention officer was pepper-sprayed during the incident last week.

At around 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, police said the suspect went to Independent Grocers on 1893 Scugog St. and allegedly put six cases of Dairy Milk chocolate bars into a blue duffle bag.

As the man was exiting the store without paying, a loss prevention officer tried to stop him, police said.

The suspect allegedly used what was believed to be pepper spray on the officer before fleeing in a dark-coloured compact SUV.

Police said the stolen chocolate bars are approximately worth $400.

The officer had to be taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said.

The suspect is described as a white man aged 40 to 55 years old, between five-foot-six and five-foot-ten with brown hair and a medium build.

Police said he was last seen wearing a dark baseball cap, a medical mask on his face, and blue jeans.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact them at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 3126 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.