A 37-year-old Courtenay woman is in custody after Canadian Tire employees were assaulted and threatened as they attempted to stop a suspected shoplifter Saturday.
Employees reported seeing a woman attempting to leave the store shortly before 10 a.m. without paying for over $1,000 worth of merchandise, said the Comox Valley RCMP.
When the suspect was confronted by a staff member, she allegedly produced a loaded flare gun. The flare gun was painted black and appeared to be a firearm.
This same woman then allegedly threatened to kill the employee while shoving the gun into her the employee's stomach. Another employee who tried to help was bitten by the suspect.
The gun ended up being knocked from the suspect's hands a couple of times and the suspect is then alleged to have pulled a knife.
The suspect was able to break free and flee the store, however she was arrested moments later in the parking lot by the Comox Valley RCMP.
Mandy Lynn Bouzane remains in custody and has been charged with robbery using a firearm and assault.
— Comox Valley RCMP