Woman set off pepper spray in the subway due to fear of being mugged

SANTIAGO.– Police explained the 53 year old woman's reasons for setting off her pepper spray in a subway car that was traveling between the Moneda and Universidad de Chile stations yesterday.

As reported on Radio Cooperativa, Major Gonzalo Huenumil of the Fourth Commissary of Santiago stated that Elizabeth Espejo Encina sprayed the gas at a moment when she thought she was going to be mugged.

"Since she believed she was potentially going to be the victim of a crime, specifically a mugging, she sprayed the pepper gas, and as a result some people suffered the effects in their respiratory systems", stated the officer.

The incident occurred during the morning rush hour. After setting off the aerosol pepper spray -a commonly used personal defense against attackers- the woman affected 11 passengers who were in the immediate area. Some felt irritation in their eyes and respiratory system, while others vomited and fainted.

Elizabeth Espejo was detained and taken to the Fourth Commissary where a court date was set before she was set free.