Somerset Woman Charged With Robbery After Pepper Spraying Store Security
A 40-year-old Somerset woman faces several charges after a May 18 incident at the Bridgewater Commons Mall during which she allegedly pepper-spayed store and mall security guards.
The woman, Fantasia Johnson, was allegedly seen by a store security guard placing $154 worth of merchandise in her purse. She was stopped by the security guard and two mall security guars when she attempted to leave the unnamed store without paying for the merchandise, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
The woman was taken back into the store, but, according to the release, she refused to enter the security office, instead pepper-spraying the three security guards and running outside the store.
Johnson was apprehended by the store security guard outside the store, after she sprayed him a second time with the pepper spray, according to the press release.
Johnson was charged with 2nd Degree Robbery, 3rd Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Criminal Mischief, a Disorderly Person offense, according to the release.
She was lodged in Somerset County Jail, Somerville, on $50,000 bail, according to the release.