Bear-Spray Attacker Found, Linked To 3 South Jersey Robberies: Police

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — A man accused of firing a weapon in a South Jersey convenience store was also behind a bear-spray attack and several robberies in the region, officials said Thursday.

Jevonte F. Pressley was arrested Nov. 29 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Days earlier, he fired a handgun in the direction of an employee while robbing a convenience store in West Deptford, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

• Related article: Shot Fired During Robbery Of West Deptford Store: Prosecutor

Evidence has since linked Pressley to two Burlington County robberies from September, authorities said. The Philadelphia man sprayed a chemical irritant at the victims in both incidents, using Grizzy Bear Spray in at least one, according to police in Medford and Evesham.

On Sept. 19, Pressley deployed bear spray into the victim's face and stole his wallet and cell phone at a Medford shopping center, police said. The victim was treated at the hospital for chemical-irritant exposure, along with abrasions to his head, elbows and knees, according to law enforcement.

Four days later, Pressley entered a Marlton restaurant after closing time and pepper-sprayed the lone employee, authorities said. The suspect then bound her hands and feet, duct taped her mouth, and stole from the cash register, according to the Evesham Police Department.

Read more:

• Victim Attacked With Bear Spray, Robbed In Burlington County: Police
• Another Bear Spray Attack? BurlCo Restaurant Robbery Probed: Police

Pressley was first charged Nov. 28 for his role in the West Deptford incident, which occurred nine days prior, officials said. Just after midnight Nov. 29, Pennsylvania State Police stopped his vehicle on Interstate 95 for traffic violations and found he had an active warrant for attempted murder.

The vehicle contained evidence that linked Pressley to additional robberies, officials said. Officers also found narcotics and an illegally possessed firearm, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Pressley, 30, was taken into custody without incident and jailed on fugitive charges. He's awaiting extradition to New Jersey while incarcerated in Pennsylvania.

He was charged with the following offenses for each South Jersey incident:

• West Deptford: attempted murder, armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain persons not to possess a firearm, terroristic threats, and theft by unlawful taken.
• Evesham: robbery, aggravated assault, theft, and criminal restraint.
• Medford: robbery, aggravated assault, and theft.