LINDEN — A Marlboro woman, who stuffed more than $1,000 worth of nail color into a bag and walked out of a CVS store, tried to bite a pharmacy worker and then sprayed mace at two employees who tried to stop her, police said today.

A 50-year-old bystander who saw the confrontation, stepped in and grabbed the woman, holding her until police arrived, authorities said.

Lauren Raykowski, 23, of Marlboro, was arrested and charged with second-degree robbery for allegedly stealing 119 bottles of Essie nail color valued at $1,055, police Capt. James Sarnicki said.

Employees at the store at North Wood Avenue and East Blancke Street reported that shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday they saw a woman put the bottles into a bag and walk out.

An employee and a woman manager from the store followed the thief, stopping her outside the store, Sarnicki said.

He said the employee heard bottles clinking in the bag, but as she reached for the bag, the thief tried to bite the worker's arm, but the worker quickly pushed her head away.

Sarnicki said the alleged robber pulled out the mace and sprayed both the worker and the manager in the face.

When the bystander grabbed the woman, store employees ran to the street and flagged down a passing police cruiser, as another bystander held onto the suspect, the captain said.

Raykowski is being held on $75,000 bail. Both the employee and the manager declined medical assistance, Sarnicki said.

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