NATCHEZ — From now on, Whitney Pearson will be using a small clutch or her pockets when she is alone at night.

At 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, two young girls reportedly approached Pearson, 21, in the Natchez Mall parking lot, sprayed her eyes with pepper spray, hit her with their fists and tried to steal her purse.

Pearson fought back and the girls ran away, but she wants others to be aware of what happened to prevent a similar situation.

Pearson could not see if the suspects drove off in a car or on foot because her eyes were filled with pepper spray, she said.

But the Natchez Police Department arrested two suspects Thursday after mall employees helped identify the suspects, who were inside the mall before the incident.

Police Chief Mike Mullins said Brittany Jones, 20, 34 A East Oak St., and a 16-year-old girl were arrested for attempted armed robbery and simple assault.

The weapon, Mullins said, was the pepper spray.

He said police contacted the minor’s mother, who drove her daughter to the police station.

Pearson said she wants other women to consider using a small purse or carrying their important belongings in their pockets instead of carrying a large purse at night.

She said the police led her to believe that the suspects targeted her for her name brand, large purse.

“They were waiting for me,” she said.

Mullins said victims of similar situations should remember it is better to cooperate and lose property and than put oneself in danger because it is impossible to know if perpetrators are armed.

“But you certainly have an absolute right to defend yourself in a life-threatening situation,” he said.

Jones is being held in jail without bond until her arraignment, and the minor is being held at the Adams County Juvenile Detention Center.

“We’re glad this victim was not injured, and we appreciate witnesses involved that assisted in the investigation,” Mullins said.

Mullins said few instances of purse snatchings have occurred in the past few years.