Hamilton police say an 11 and 12-year-old assaulted an eight-year-old with bear spray in an east Mountain neighbourhood Tuesday.

Officers responded to the incident near Upper Ottawa Street and Rymal Road around 7 p.m., Hamilton Police Service said in a news release. Police quickly found and arrested the suspects.

Police said around 2 a.m., that day, the 11 and 12-year-old broke into a nearby Canadian Tire and stole bear spray.

“The 11-year-old cannot be criminally charged, as individuals must be at least 12 years of age to be held criminally responsible in Canada. He was released into the care of a parent,” police said.

They said the 12-year-old faces multiple charges including assault with a weapon.

Investigators said the 12-year-old was also involved in a break-in and theft at a vape store on July 1, and he was charged in relation to that too.

Hamilton police have said kids and teens are committing — and on the receiving end of — an increasing number of bear spray-related crimes in the city, including assaults and robberies.

Between 2021 and 2025, bear spray-related incidents increased by 115 per cent, Hamilton Police Service said in a March news release.