Pepper spray scare brings law enforcement out to Portola Hotel

A strange scare at a busy hotel in Monterey had emergency officials out in full force Wednesday.

Just before noon, employees at the Portola Hotel reported they found some questionable materials in a guest room which led them to be suspicious. They called law enforcement to check the scene.

The Monterey Police Department, the Monterey Fire Department, and Monterey County Hazmat responded to the Portola Plaza Hotel regarding a possible hazmat exposure.

Janine Chicourrat, general manager of the hotel said, “Someone had set off a pepper spray in a stairwell. And so at that point we decided to just call the fire dept. and have them come and investigate and make sure it wasn’t a big deal.”

Chicourrat said no one was hurt but the police department told KION some were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Monterey Police responded to the 1000 block of Del Monte after reports of a man “acting in a bizarre manner and pouring milk on his face.” Police said the man had been exposed to the pepper spray and learned he had a felony warrant for his arrest.

“When released from the hospital, he will be transported to the Monterey County Jail.” said Monterey PD.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call MPD Detective Sgt. Jeremiah Ruttschow at 831-646-3814.