Accused shoplifters beat, try to pepper-spray security at Macy’s, California police say

Three women chose violence when a Macy’s security officer asked them to return stolen goods before leaving the Palo Alto store, California police said.

Alexis Quiroz, 22, Salena Quiroz, 21, and Leah Perez, 22, all of Sacramento, face charges including robbery and conspiracy, Palo Alto police said in a news release.

Alexis Quiroz also faces a charge of being a felon in possession of pepper spray, police said.

A Macy’s loss-prevention officer had spotted the three women leaving the store with clothing they had not paid for at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, the release said.

When the officer confronted them outside, Alexis Quiroz tried to pepper-spray him while her companions punched him in the face and head, police reported.

The women drove off in a vehicle, which Palo Alto police stopped before it left the shopping center, police said.

Along with the stolen clothing and pepper spray, police also found three children ages 7 months to 17 years old in the vehicle with the three women, the release said.

This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Accused shoplifters beat, try to pepper-spray security at Macy’s, California police say."