A shoplifting investigation escalated in to the assault of an employee and a car pursuit of the suspect by off-duty Ocean City police officer at the Egg Harbor Township Home Depot Sunday morning.

When order was restored, Egg Harbor Township Police had arrested 62-year old Stephen A. Krajci of Philadelphia for robbery, assault, and weapons offenses.

Krajci reportedly fled just before 10:00 a.m. from Home Depot in Egg Harbor Township, after assaulting a store employee and shoplifting over $500 in store merchandise , according to a police report.

Breaking AC reports that Krajci pepper sprayed the store loss prevention officer who confronted him and fled in a white Toyota 4Runner.

An off-duty Ocean City police officer witnessed the crimes and was able to assist EHT police officers with intercepting Krajci after he fled the area in a vehicle.

Krajci was charged on a complaint-warrant with robbery, assault, and weapons offenses and was subsequently lodged in the Atlantic County jail.

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