Bear spray clears downtown eatery

City police have charged a local man after a person was bear-sprayed outside a Charlotte Street restaurant early Monday morning.

Police say two people were arguing at about 2:40 a.m. when the bear spray was used. The restaurant had to be vacated because of the fumes, police say.

Officers arrived and located a suspect walking near Aylmer and Sherbooke streets. A search turned up bear spray and a black BB gun in a bag.

Nicholas Gordon Sparks, 19, of Rubidge Street, was charged with assault with a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, administering a noxious thing with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm and mischief.

He was released and will appear in court Sept. 20.