Victim Attacked With Grizzly Bear Spray, Robbed In Burlington County: Police

MEDFORD, NJ — A person was attacked with grizzly bear spray and robbed Tuesday night in a Burlington County shopping center, authorities said. Medford police continue to seek a suspect for the assault that hospitalized the victim.

Police responded to the Village at Taunton Forge at 10:21 p.m. for a report of a male with breathing difficulty. Officers determined he had been robbed within the complex.

The initial investigation determined that an unknown suspect deployed grizzly bear spray into the victim's face to disable him, police said. Then, the suspect stole his wallet and cell phone, according to law enforcement.

Virtua Marlton Hospital treated the victim for chemical-irritant exposure and abrasions to his head, elbows and knees, police said.

The suspect was an unknown male wearing black clothing and a mask, authorities said. The investigation remains ongoing.

Bear spray — an aerosol spray meant as a last line of defense against aggressive bears — contains irritants that can cause the eyes, nose and lungs to swell. The spray can permanently damage eyes, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Anyone with information related to this case can contact the Medford Township Police Department's Criminal Investigative Bureau at 609-654-7375.