A 17-year-old boy is facing charges involving bear spray after an incident early Friday morning.

The youth was seen by a patrolling police vehicle in North Central when three youths were seen flashing gang signs and cutting through parking lots at about 3:40 a.m. Friday.

Two of the three males ran away, but police say the 17-year-old who threatened to use bear spray against the police.

The youth has been charged with assaulting a police officer while threatening to use a weapon, possession and breach charges. He name won’t be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

He made his first court appearance Friday.