Fantasia Johnson, 40, of Franklin Township, was charged with second degree robbery and third degree unlawful possession of a weapon on May 18, 2016.
BRIDGEWATER - A Franklin Township woman was arrested Wednesday after she allegedly used pepper spray on three security officers during an attempted shoplifting at Bridgewater Commons, it was announced Friday.
Fantasia Johnson Fantasia Johnson, 40, of Norwich Place in the Somerset section of Franklin Township, was charged with second degree robbery and third degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Johnson was allegedly seen by a loss prevention officer concealing $154 worth of merchandise in her handbag at a Bridgewater Commons store at 3:46 p.m. She was approached by the officer and two mall security officers after she left the store, according to a news release.
The three officers brought her back into the store, but Johnson allegedly refused to enter the security office, took out a bottle of pepper spray from her purse and sprayed the chemical into the eyes of the three officers, it was stated in the release.
Johnson also reportedly sprayed the chemical onto store merchandise as she fled.
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The loss prevention officer followed her out of the store and, despite reportedly being sprayed a second time in the face, apprehended Johnson, according to the release.
Johnson was turned over to the township police, who transported her to the Somerset County Jail in Somerville. Bail was set at $50,000 by Somerset County Superior Court Judge Robert Reed.
She was also charged with criminal mischief, a disorderly persons offense.
The arrest was announced Friday jointly by Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and township Chief of Police Manuel Caravella.