Police Say Hudson Valley Man Attacked Lowe’s Clerk With Self-Defense Spray

What started out as a simple product return quickly became an incident that police are calling assault.

State police say Corey Mansfield and Dylan Burger attempted to return an item to the Lowe's store in the town of Wallkill without a receipt. After the transaction was refused, an argument ensued and, according to the police report, threats of violence were made against a store manager.

Police say Mansfield then sprayed the manager with a pocket-sized self-defense spray device after which both men attempted to escape, removing the license plates on their vehicle prior to departure.

Mansfield was arrested and charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance in non-original container, conspiracy, disorderly conduct, and harassment. Dylan Burger was arrested and charged for conspiracy and harassment.