Asheville Man Charged After Pepper‑Spray Attack During Silver Sale

During a pre-arranged sale of silver on Rumbough Place near Malvern Hills Park, the buyer pepper-sprayed a man and got away before calling police, according to WYFF News 4. The quick action by the victim ended the encounter without officers making an immediate arrest.

Around 11:37 a.m. on Feb. 22, officers with the Asheville Police Department responded to a report of an attempted robbery on Rumbough Place near Malvern Hills Park, WYFF reported. When patrol officers arrived, the suspect had already fled the area and the victim was able to give officers a description of the person who tried to take the item during the exchange.

Detectives subsequently identified the suspect as 23-year-old James Russell Morrow and charged him with attempted common law robbery, APD detectives told WYFF. The department has filed the attempted common law robbery charge while investigators continue to piece together the circumstances of the prearranged, in-person exchange.

WYFF relayed the department's detailed description of Morrow: "Detectives described him as 6 feet tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, a scar under his left eye, and a tattoo of the letter 'J' on his left wrist." Investigators also released a possible vehicle description, saying he "might be driving an older, blue, rusty, GM Grand Prix or Grand National with a half-vinyl top."

Asheville police say Morrow is currently at large. "Anyone who knows of Morrow's whereabouts is asked to contact APD at (828) 252-1110," WYFF reported, repeating the department's appeal for tips as detectives work to locate him.

The incident remains under investigation by APD detectives, who took the initial report after the victim escaped and provided a suspect description. APD has charged Morrow with attempted common law robbery and is asking anyone with information about a 23-year-old man matching the physical description or an older blue GM Grand Prix/Grand National to call the department at (828) 252-1110.