Kamloops RCMP now have surveillance footage of the suspect in an assault at Winners on New Year’s Day, and are asking for the public’s help to find him.

The assault happened just after 5 p.m. at the retail store, at 1180 Columbia Street West, when several employees were bear sprayed after confronting a man who was reportedly trying to steal clothes.

The suspect is described as being white and five-feet-six-inches tall with a tattoo on his face. At the time of the assault, he was wearing a grey bucket hat, a red hoodie and black baggy jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kamloops RCMP, at 250-828-3000 and to reference file 2021-62.

The incident on New Year’s Day followed a similar scene two months ago in the same shopping centre, where a thief pepper sprayed an employee at Atmosphere after a worker tried to stop him from stealing clothes.

NL News was told two week ago that police had sent support groups to the retail stores affected, which employ many teenagers and young adults, to help them through the incidents, and to help teach methods for lowering the risk of workplace violence.

(Photo: RCMP Handout)