Hazmat Suit-Clad Man Sprays Unknown Substance In Bergen Plant Shop: PD

GLEN ROCK, NJ — A man in a hazmat suit walked into a floral shop and sprayed an unknown substance on the plants and flowers inside, authorities said.

"Initial investigation appears to show that this may have been some sort of a social media prank," Glen Rock police Chief Dean Ackermann said of the Jan. 16 incident at Perry's Florist.

At about 4:55 p.m., police responded to a report of a man in a chemical suit with a handheld sprayer, who had entered the shop with two other men, one of whom appeared to have been filming, Ackermann said.

When approached by several alarmed employees, the men "became abusive" and then left the area in a white Tesla with New York plates, as police were called, the chief said.

The shop owner removed the plants and flowers that were "tampered with" from the showroom floor for safety reasons, police said. At the time of the report, it is unknown if they were damaged.

Detectives are investigating.