The Lafayette Police Department says a 74-year-old Oakland woman was arrested after an unlawful use of tear gas on Saturday.
On Saturday, July 25, 2026, at about 10:40 AM, Lafayette PD was dispatched to a report of an argument at a grocery store located on the 3600 block of Mt. Diablo Boulevard. It was later reported that a person used bear spray on several people before fleeing in her vehicle. Witnesses provided dispatch with the suspect vehicle license plate and direction of travel.
Orinda police officers located the suspect vehicle and detained the driver on westbound Highway 24.
Lafayette police later determined an argument between two people occurred in the parking lot with one of them pointing bear spray out of the driver side window and spraying the other person. As the person drove away, she sprayed it a second time before leaving the parking lot.
A total of eight people were exposed to the bear spray. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District responded and treated the victims on scene. One was transported to the hospital.
The suspect, 74-year-old Monica Thomas of Oakland, was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful use of tear gas.
If you see something, say something. Report emergencies by calling 9-1-1; for non-emergencies, call 925-284-5010.
Editors Note: News 24-680 broke the story on Saturday, with photographs.
