Maryah Williams, 23, of Boston, and Lasonia Watler, 18, of Brockton Mass., allegedly attempted to evade police during a shoplifting incident at the Merrimack Premium Outlets on Aug. 10. According to police, Williams went so far as to use pepper spray. Courtesy photo/Merrimack Police Department

MERRIMACK – Maryah Williams, 23, of Boston, and Lasonia Watler, 18, of Brockton Mass., were taken into custody on Aug. 10 after one of them allegedly attacked Merrimack Police with pepper spray.

According to police, officers responded to the Merrimack Premium Outlets at 3:45 p.m. for a report of a theft in progress at Polo Ralph Lauren.

The officers quickly located the suspects at American Eagle Outfitters. Williams and Watler were allegedly in possession of stolen merchandise from both stores.

As police attempted to apprehend the two women, Williams allegedly kicked one of the officers in the stomach. She then took out a can of pepper spray and sprayed it into the officer’s eyes. She also reportedly sprayed the substance into the air, impairing the other officer and customers who were in American Eagle at the time.

According to police, Watler was also armed with pepper spray; however, she was stopped before she was able to use it.

While being put in handcuffs, Williams and Watler reportedly resisted arrest as well as yell obscenities and racial slurs.

Williams has been charged with receiving stolen property, attempted second degree assault, falsifying physical evidence, simple assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and possession of theft detection device removal tools.

Under state law, if convicted, Williams could face up to 23 years in prison and up to $6,200 in fines.

Watler has been charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, attempted simple assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and possession of theft detection device removal tools.

Under state law, if convicted, Watler could face up to nine years in prison and up to $2,200 in fines.

Williams and Watler were held at the Hillsborough County Department of Corrections and were scheduled to appear in Merrimack District Court on Aug. 12.