CRIME

Masked man commits smash and grab at Kohl's

The Gaston Gazette

Do you recognize this male suspect who, at around 5 p.m. on Jan. 17, committed an armed robbery at the Kohl’s store on East Franklin Boulevard?

Police are looking for a man they say stole thousands of dollars of jewelry from a department store and injured one of its employees in the process.

The incident happened around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Kohl’s located at 3648 E. Franklin Blvd. In Franklin Square III in Gastonia.

In surveillance footage, a white, blond-haired man can be seen smashing a jewelry case with a hammer then gathering approximately $80,000 worth of jewelry.

While wearing a ball cap and face mask, the man can be seen shooting pepper spray at a female employee who approached him while he was committing the theft. A camera at the front of the store captured footage of him then fleeing out the front door.

Police released the video footage Thursday in an attempt to find the suspect.

Investigators ask that anyone with information about the man or the armed robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Gaston County at 704-861-8000. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward and may remain anonymous.