A woman caught shoplifting in the South Bay used a lighter and aerosol can to escape after being confronted by an employee, police said.

It happened Tuesday, Nov. 12, around 3:20 a.m. at a 7-Eleven on the 1200 block of Artesia Boulevard.

right Manhattan Beach Police Departmenta store employee saw the woman stealing food from the store.

That employee confronted the thief, at which point she produced a lighter and aerosol can, igniting the spray to create a makeshift flamethrower.

The employee was unharmed, but the gesture allowed the suspect to flee the scene on foot, police said.

She was described as an adult black woman with a heavy build, wearing a gray beanie and yellow jacket.

Responding officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Police took a report and no further details were made available at the Police Department the weekly crime report.

The estimated value of the merchandise taken, believed to be only food items, has not been disclosed.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Manhattan Beach Police Department at 310-802-5140.

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