Fort Myers man accused of using pepper spray on clerk during robbery

Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published:
Braxton Ryan, 25. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office

A man was arrested Tuesday after police say he robbed a Fort Myers smoke shop using pepper spray and got into a fight with a store employee.

According to the Fort Myers Police Department, officers went to Holy Smokes and Vape, located at 8293 Dani Drive, at around 11:10 a.m. in response to a reported robbery. Braxton Ryan, 25, asked to buy around $700 worth of items before spraying the store clerk in the face with pepper spray, grabbing the items and running away.

Despite having a faceful of pepper spray, the employee was able to chase Ryan outside, where they got into an altercation. The items were retrieved, but Ryan got away in a car.

An employee of an adjacent business was able to take a picture of Ryan’s car, including its Florida license plate, allowing officers to track him down and take him into custody. Ryan was booked into the Lee County Jail with no bond. He faces a charge of robbery with a weapon.

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