A man suspected of swiping several Tommy Hilfiger sweaters from a north Fulton department store was released by security guards after allegedly telling them he had a gun and threatening to shoot up the place.
The shoplifting suspect made the threats Tuesday night at North Point Mall in Alpharetta, Channel 2 Action News reported.
The incident started when the store’s loss prevention officer said he spotted the man stuff about six sweatshirts into a backpack and then try to leave, Alpharetta police spokesman Sgt. Howard Miller said.
“During the interaction with loss prevention, the guy said that he had a gun and if they didn’t let him leave, that he would pull it out and start shooting everybody,” Miller said.
The security guard told police the man never actually brandished a weapon, but that they allowed him to leave just in case.
“If someone makes a threat of violence like that, no amount of property is worth someone getting seriously injured or killed over,” Miller said.
Police said the man, who is wanted on robbery by intimidation charges, left his jacket behind. Investigators hope to identify the suspect through DNA evidence.
Anyone who knows his name or whereabouts is asked to contact Alpharetta police.
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