Police Search For Thief Who Threatened Sears Employee With Stun Gun

DENVER (CBS4)- Police in Denver are searching for a man who threatened a Sears store employee with a stun gun after he tried to steal merchandise.

It happened at the Sears store across from the Cherry Creek Mall on Dec. 10.

Police want to find the man because they believe his behavior could escalate and he could end up hurting someone. They hope someone will recognize the man from surveillance images.

"Somebody knows who this guy is. I mean, they are crystal clear so you can recognize him," said Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson.

Police said the man walked into the Sears store, shopped around and then tried to leave without paying for the merchandise he had gathered.

When employees tried to step in and that's when the thief threatened them with a stun gun.

Experts said in most cases a stun gun won't cause any serious harm but would buy the thief some time to get out of the store.

"It's definitely going to be that shock effect and it's going to give you that chance to get away from somebody," said L&M Firing Line spokesman Richard Taylor.

In this case it worked, the thief got away but no one was hurt.

Police believe whatever weapon is used to threaten, it's still a serious crime.

"I don't care if it's a rock, you can do harm to someone and the law looks at it that way," said Jackson.

The thief was seen leaving in a blue older model sedan and that a white female was with him.

Anyone with information regarding this crime or recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). You can text to CRIMES (274637) then title DMCS and enter your message or send an e-mail to metro-denvercrimestoppers.com. If the information you provide leads to the arrest and charging of a wanted individual, you can receive a cash reward up to $2,000.