Sunglass Hut employee sprayed during midday robbery as suspect arrested in Delaware
Evesham, NJ — A midday smash-and-grab at the Sunglass Hut on Route 73 left an employee sprayed with bear spray and two dozen luxury frames missing after two masked women rushed the store and fled with an estimated $10,000 worth of merchandise, police said.
Evesham Township patrol officers responded at approximately 12:43 p.m. to the Sunglass Hut at 500 S. Route 73 for a report of an assault during a theft. A young employee told officers two females wearing hats and face coverings entered the store, grabbed a large quantity of high-value sunglasses and, when the employee attempted to call police, one suspect sprayed her with bear spray before both fled.
Detectives determined roughly 18–20 pairs of designer sunglasses were taken, with a combined value in excess of $10,000. Evesham Police Detectives collected evidence at the scene and continued the investigation.
Through follow-up work, detectives identified one suspect as 29-year-old Allesha Taylor-Jones of Delaware. An arrest warrant charging Taylor-Jones with first-degree robbery and related offenses was obtained. Working with the Delaware State Police, Evesham detectives located and arrested Taylor-Jones; officers reported she was found in possession of evidence linking her to the crime.
Taylor-Jones is currently lodged in Delaware pending extradition to New Jersey. Charges filed include first-degree robbery, third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and third-degree theft.
The investigation into the identity of the second suspect remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Evesham Township Police Department at (856) 983-1116, the confidential tip line at (856) 983-4699, or email Detective Sergeant Gary Borbidge at borbidgeg@eveshampd.org. The release was issued by Public Information Officer Lieutenant Rich Dixon.
