Beavercreek police are asking for the public’s help to find a couple accused of ripping off a store and threatening an employee who tried to stop them.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, etectives released these pictures of people inside the Rally House Sporting Goods store at the Mall at Fairfield Commons.
Beavercreek police are still sorting through the exact circumstances on if this qualifies as a robbery or whether it was a shoplifting incident with a violent threat added in.
Their investigation began with a 911 call.
“I caught someone stealing and I followed them out, got the product back but then he threatened me,” the caller said.
Beavercreek police say the couple they’re looking for were long gone by the time officers pulled into the mall. However, they’ve decided to use the store’s surveillance pictures on social media.
They hope someone can help their investigation by identifying the couple, including the man that threatened the worker.
Other shoppers say they feel the worker was put in a tough spot.
“Yeah, they can’t challenge, they can’t put themselves in danger,” said Robin Price.
Ron Price said he knows many stores or malls don’t want employees trying to stop anyone suspected of stealing things.
News Center 7 reached out to mall management and received the following response:
“The safety of our guests, retailers and employees is our top priority. We are working closely with the Beavercreek Police Department as they investigate this incident.
Shoppers are glad no one was hurt, upset that the event took place at all and have a feeling that all of us pay for this type of incident.
“It’s all passed on to the consumer for sure. All the prices are, yeah, we pay,” Robin Price said.
Anyone with information can call Detective McCain at (937) 427-5520.
We will continue updating this story.
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