Two female juveniles were taken into custody by Lathrop Police on Thursday morning after they reportedly threatened a SaveMart employee with pepper spray and made off with $250 worth of merchandise.

According to the agency, officers were dispatched to Lathrop’s Save Mart location on Harlan Road on reports of a robbery.

Thanks to the information provided by the employee involved and others at the store, Lathrop Police were able to locate the vehicle and the two female juvenile subjects a short time later.

Like other cities throughout California, Lathrop has had to work to address the increase in organized retail theft and similar crimes that often drive-up prices for consumers and fuel an illegal underground marketplace of fenced and stolen goods.

“The Lathrop Police Department takes retail theft seriously and will continue to investigate and arrest those responsible for these crimes,” the agency said in the release.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.