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Man held in pepper spraying inside Covina Home Depot; 12 affected

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A 38-year-old man was arrested Monday on suspicion of using pepper spray inside a Home Depot in Covina, which affected a dozen people, authorities said.

Covina police arrested Fernando Aldana-Rivera, of Covina, on suspicion of unlawful possession and use of a tear gas weapon.

Firefighters and police responded to a 911 call about 3:05 p.m. reporting that customers were having breathing problems due to an unknown chemical spill at the Home Depot in the 900 block of West Badillo Street. Hazardous materials officials also arrived on scene.

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According to police, an argument had broken out between Aldana-Rivera and another customer, which led Aldana-Rivera to discharge pepper spray into the other man’s face. The airborne particles quickly spread across the store and affected at least 12 people.

Four were taken to a hospital for minor eye irritation, said Los Angeles County Fire Dispatch Supervisor Art Marrujo.

Hazmat officials determined the area to be safe by about 4:30 p.m. The Home Depot reopened shortly after.

Follow @RosannaXia for more news in Southern California.

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