Cumbria Police have confirmed that two men arrested on suspicion of shoplifting at the M&S Store in Kendal this morning were found with weapons on them.
Eye witnesses have told us the men were in possession of axes, knives and saws as they stole items from the store on Library Road at around 8.45am.
Passers-by say that staff members from M&S chased after the men through Kendal Town Centre.
Peter Boyd is the Manager of the Elephant Yard Shopping Centre and witnessed this morning's incident.
He told us that "The males split up, but one of them attempted to run down Elephant Yard. A female Assistant Manager of Laura Ashley saw this large male running towards her. She ran at him, rugby tackled him down to ground in the middle of the road and he was quickly restrained."
Cumbria Police say that two men have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Officers are searching for a third man in connection with the case and are continuing with their inquiries.