NJ man stole 9 boxes of cigs in front of uniformed cops, police say

PLEASANTVILLE — An Atlantic County man had to be pepper-sprayed after he brazenly stole cigarettes from a Wawa in plain sight of uniformed police officers, authorities said.

Robert Jones, 32, of Egg Harbor Township, is accused of grabbing nine boxes of Newport 100s from behind the cashier counter of the West Delilah Road convenience store about 2:33 p.m. Tuesday.

One of the two officers in the store yelled at Jones, who ran out and got into the back seat of a parked car, police said.

Police said the car, driven by Angelina Dixon, 33, began to back up "quickly" in an attempt to escape but she stopped when police ordered her to.

Police said Jones was "attempting to hide himself in the backseat" and refused to get out. Police said they used pepper spray and forced him out. He was not injured, police said.

Jones was charged with shoplifting goods worth under $200 and fourth-degree resisting arrest.

Dixon, of the Mays Landing section of Hamilton, also was charged with shoplifting.

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Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-359-5348 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.