Cashier Pepper-Sprayed At Jersey Shore Wawa During Robbery, Police Say

TOMS RIVER, NJ ? Toms River police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man who robbed a Wawa in Toms River early Sunday morning.

Police released surveillance video from the robbery, which they said took place at 12:18 a.m. Sunday at the Wawa at 179 Route 37 East, just east of Hooper Avenue.

In it the man approaches the register and buys a tobacco item. After the cashier makes change and closes the register, he asks for a second one.

As the cashier opens the register and begins to put the cash and change in, the man can be seen reaching over the counter and spraying the cashier in the face with what appears to be pepper spray. As the cashier reacts to being sprayed, the man runs around behind the counter and grabs several bills from the drawer.

He then runs out of the store. The Toms River Police Department shared the video on the department's Facebook page.

Toms River police said he was described as being in his early 20s, about 5 feet, 6 inches tall with a thin build and long dreadlocks. He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a face covering, police said.

Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Jason Stallworth at 732-349-0150, ext. 1353, or send him an email at jstallworth@trpolice.org.