Suspect Charged with Assault in Grocery Store Spray Incidents

UPDATE (October 23, 2020 8:30 a.m.) ^JZP:

Baltimore County Police have charged a suspect in a series of incidents involving a solvent sprayed on women in grocery stores in western Baltimore County.

Detectives identified the suspect, Terrence Leroy Devillasee (38) of the 9600 block of Orpin Road, 21133 after additional women came forward citing similar incidents following our initial media release (see 'Original Release' below) in September.

The first reported incident occurred on September 9 when the suspect, identified as Devillasee, approached a woman inside Giant in the 10200 block of Mill Run Circle, 21117, indicating to her that there was a substance on her pant leg. A similar incident was reported at Wegmans in the 10100 block of Reisterstown Road, 21117 the following day.

Since the original information release, Devillasee has been linked to two other incidents in which he followed a woman in a grocery store, then approached her and pointed out something on her pants or leg, behaving as if he were trying to be helpful. The first occurred on June 11 at Giant in the 10200 block of Mill Run Circle, 21117 and the other on August 5 at Walmart in the 9700 block of Reisterstown Road, 21117. 

Devillasee is charged with three counts of second degree assault on a summons. The solvent he sprayed on the women was determined to be a non-toxic substance.

The Baltimore County Police Department would like to thank these women for coming forward with information that ultimately helped to identify and charge the suspect in these very personal cases. 

Original Release (September 24, 2020 2 p.m.) ^VW:

POLICE INVESTIGATE STRANGE INCIDENT AT GROCERY STORES

Baltimore County Police are investigating two incidents involving an unknown substance being sprayed on women while shopping. This substance caused them to feel dizzy and weak. Police are seeking the identity of a man for his involvement in these two incidents.

On September 8, officers responded to the Giant grocery store in the 10200 block of Mill Run Circle, 21117, for a woman that was approached by a man claiming she had something on her pant leg. The substance, when touched, made the woman feel dizzy. The man followed her out of the store but when she made a scene that he was following her, he left the area. Surveillance footage from the store shows the man spraying an unknown substance on the woman and following her throughout the store.

On September 9, another incident occurred at Wegmans, in the 10100 block of Reisterstown Road, 21117, involving an unknown substance being sprayed on a woman. She also felt dizzy after touching it. In both cases the suspect approached the woman and pointed out the substance on their pant leg. Detectives believe that was done to have the women make contact with the substance. This woman reported the incident on September 22. Investigators believe the same suspect is responsible for both incidents.

There May Be Other Victims

Police are also asking if anyone else has been a victim of similar incidents to call 410-887-6975 and speak with detectives from the Franklin Precinct.