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Police: Customer attacks clerk with bug spray, blanket, solvent

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A Costa Mesa woman was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail Monday after allegedly attacking a liquor store clerk with bug spray, attempting to choke her with a blanket and then pouring acetone into her mouth, police said.

Teresa Augayo, 46, first went to California Stop Market at 600 W. 19th St. on Sunday afternoon to buy a single bottle of Blue Moon beer, but the clerk told her the store didn’t sell them apart from six-packs, according to Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Phil Myers.

Augayo left, only to return later to try to buy the beer again, Myers said.

The clerk told her again that she couldn’t sell the woman a single beer, and Augayo allegedly attacked the clerk, throwing small bottles of energy drinks at her, scratching her face and then going behind the counter, Myers said.

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The clerk then threatened Augayo with a bat, before Augayo allegedly punched the clerk, and wrapped her neck with a blanket found behind the counter, Myers said. The clerk lost consciousness.

Augayo allegedly sprayed bug spray on the face of the victim and poured isopropyl alcohol and acetone — a common solvent — down her throat before police arrived, Myers said.

Augayo was immediately arrested.

The clerk, whose birthday was Monday, was taken to a local hospital where she was being monitored for potential poisoning and a possible broken nose.

Augayo was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and various other felony charges including assault with a deadly weapon and assault with a toxic chemical.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30

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