Man Attacked Victims With Bear Spray At Montco Gas Station: Police

LOWER MORELAND, PA — A man has been arrested in Montgomery County after police said he sprayed several people with bear and mountain lion deterrent spray outside a gas station, police said.

The incident occurred on Sept. 30 on the 2500 block of Philmont Avenue in Lower Moreland.

Arthur Blaker, 54, approached a group of people in a large, white dump truck with a yellow trailer attached to the back, police said.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, and Blaker's precise motivations are not known. However, when he pulled up to the group at the pump, he opened his driver's side window and sprayed a large amount of the orange substance, later found to be bear spray, police said.

The amount of spray was so significant that it fully covered the gas pump and half of the victim's vehicle, police said.

Police tracked Blaker and arrested him a day later on Oct. 1. He initially denied involvement, police said, but later confessed, and the bear and mountain lion spray was found in the back of his truck.

He was charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct, and numerous related counts. A preliminary hearing is forthcoming.