Yonkers shoplifting suspect accused of spraying officer during TJ Maxx arrest

YONKERS, NY – A suspected shoplifting incident at a busy Cross County shopping center escalated into a violent confrontation Wednesday afternoon when a Bronx man allegedly sprayed a Yonkers police officer with pepper spray while attempting to flee, according to the Yonkers Police Department.

Officers said the incident began inside a TJ Maxx store, where an officer was already present on an unrelated call. Loss prevention staff identified Fernando Rivera, 46, as “a repeat shoplifter they ...