Shoplifter Attempts to Shoot Shoppers Who Try To Stop Him

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – Gwinnett Police detectives need the public’s help in identifying a shoplifter and his accomplice that attempted to shoot a shopper when the shopper tried to stop them.

On Sept. 5 at approximately 2 p.m. a man entered a business located at 875 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd in unincorporated Lawrenceville. He loaded over $1,800 worth of equipment and fled to the parking lot. During the course of fleeing other shoppers attempted to stop him but he produced a handgun and threatened to shoot them. He fled to a waiting vehicle and began to load the stolen merchandise. Additional bystanders attempted to intervene. The shplifter tried to shoot one of the bystanders but his gun did not fire.

A second person, helping in shoplifter, was waiting in the vehicle. The shoplifter assaulted a shopper with his handgun, loaded the stolen merchandise into the vehicle, and was driven away by the person helping him.

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The shoplifter is described as possibly in his 20s, approximately 5’6” tall and weighing around 130 pounds, with short black hair, and short facial hair. He was last seen wearing a torn white shirt, black jeans, white sneakers, and thick rimmed black glasses. He was armed with a black handgun.

The helper and driver is described as a mn wearing all black clothing.

The shoplifting vehicle is described as a red Kia Soul.

If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppersatlanta.org. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. Case Number: 18-082846

Photos courtesy Gwinnett Police Deparment