Two deli workers were doused in pepper spray by a woman who police found carrying a loaded 9-mm. pistol in her handbag, cops said Thursday.
The victims, two men ages 35 and 52, were attacked by 36-year-old Demi Smith inside the Hillside Gourmet Deli, on Broadway near Hillside Ave. in Washington Heights, around 11:29 a.m. on Tuesday, according to law enforcement.
Smith spritzed the workers with pepper spray after they caught her throwing merchandise inside the store and asked her to leave, police said,
The woman fled the deli heading south on Broadway, but police caught up to her at W. 193rd St. about 10 minutes later and arrested her, cops said.
At the 34th Precinct stationhouse, officers checked her purse and found the loaded Taurus 9-mm. pistol stashed inside of it, police said.
Smith, who lives in Washington Heights, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and assault. She was released without bail after her arraignment Wednesday and is due back in court April 13.
