SORRENTO - Sheriff's deputies surrounded the post office in this small town Tuesday after an unidentified woman tried to rob the facility. 

Deputies said the woman told the worker she needed stamps, then pulled out what looked like a gun.  The weapon was actually a water gun filled with pepper spray and the woman sprayed the clerk in the face and left. 

The employee was taken to the hospital, sources told WBRZ News 2.

The post office is on John LeBlanc Blvd., or Highway 22, between Airline Highway and I-10. Video submitted by a WBRZ viewer showed sheriff's deputies gathered on the highway in front of the post office and in the parking lot.

The suspect was last seen wearing a security type uniform, long coat with fur around the hood, and gloves.

Federal postal inspectors joined the investigation Tuesday afternoon, agents said. 
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