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LEWISTON, Cache County — A "handful" of individuals were treated for exposure to bear spray Saturday night after a 31-year-old man discharged a can of he found in a garbage bin outside of his apartment in Lewiston, police said.

According to Lt. Mike Peterson of the Cache County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the area of 15 S. Main just before 8:45 p.m. when they received reports that something had been sprayed in the air that was affecting people exiting the Lewiston Theater. An investigation into the incident led to a nearby apartment complex where a 31-year-old male found a can of bear spray in a garbage can and discharged it approximately 100 feet from the entrance to the theater to see how it worked, Peterson said.

Shortly after being sprayed, people left the theater and began feeling the effects of the spray, namely coughing and experiencing burning in their nose and eyes. Peterson said no serious injuries were reported and several people on scene were treated for minor exposure and did not require further medical treatment.

The man who discharged the spray has cooperated with the investigation and no arrests or citations had been issued, but the investigation is ongoing.

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