Two women are facing charges following a shoplifting incident at the Bay Roberts Mall on the weekend that quickly escalated.

An off-duty RCMP officer happened to be in the store when he noticed a store employee asking two women to leave the premises.

Police say both women became angry and aggressive and one of the women assaulted the store employee. The off-duty officer identified himself as a police officer and stepped between the women and the employee. The women then allegedly assaulted the off-duty officer and fled the scene.

The women were located a short time later, arrested and released to appear at a later date. They’re each facing charges of assaulting a police officer and one of the women is facing an additional charge of assault.