Six people were injured and 20 more were affected when bear spray was used in a robbery at the Cross Iron Mills Mall south of Airdrie Thursday (October 26) night.

At around 7:15 pm, four males entered the food court at the mall.  Two of them tried to steal a tip jar from a food court vendor.

Another vendor's employee witnessed the theft and intervened, trying to stop the suspects.  The third male suspect assaulted him and knocked him to the floor and the fourth suspect sprayed the employee, as well as a shopper who tried to intervene, with bear spray.

The suspects all ran from the mall and fled in a Silver Hyundai Elantra with Alberta license plate BVV0131.  The vehicle had previously been reported stolen.

Six people had to be treated for exposure to the bear spray by EMS.  An additional 20 people, including some children, were affected by the contamination in the air.

Investigators have determined that the same suspects were involved in a theft from the Tommy Hilfiger store in Cross Iron Mills the same evening.  

Video surveillance from the two incidents has provided investigators with the following descriptions of the suspects.

Suspect # 1 is described as a black male between 18 and 25 years old with short black hair.  He was wearing a blue, puffy down jacket with a hood over his head, ripped light acid coloured jeans, a black belt and black shoes.

Suspect # 2 is described as a black male between 15 and 18 years of age, with short black hair.  He wore a grey zip up hoody, ripped dark coloured jeans and black shoes.

Suspect # 3 is described as a black male between 13 and 16 years of age with short black hair.  He was wearing a dark coloured hoody, light coloured pants and black shoes.

Suspect # 4 is described as a black male, 11 to 14 years of age with short black hair.  He was wearing a black long sleeved jacket or hoody, black pants and black shoes.

Surveillance photos of the suspects and their car are below.

The Airdrie RCMP are asking the public to locate the stolen vehicle and identify the suspects.

Anyone with information should call the Airdrie RCMP at 403 975-7267 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 if you'd like to remain anonymous.