Gastonia, N.C. - October 1, 2021 - Detectives from the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) continue to investigate the attempted theft of a bracelet valued at over $3,600 that occurred on September 28 at a jewelry store in Gastonia. GPD detectives believe that this same suspect committed a similar theft at a Jewelry store located inside the Carolina Place Mall in Pineville, North Carolina, in July. Today, GPD investigators are releasing surveillance photographs of the male suspect in both crimes and are asking for the public’s help in identifying him.
On Tuesday, September 28 at approximately 12:57 p.m., GPD officers responded to the REEDS Jewelers store located inside the Eastridge Mall at 246 N. New Hope Road for an attempted theft that had just occurred.
The investigation determined that the suspect entered the store and asked to look at several bracelets in a display case. A store employee removed one of the bracelets (valued at over $3,600) and put it on his wrist to show the suspect. The suspect grabbed the bracelet and attempted to forcibly remove the bracelet from the employee’s wrist, knocking him down in the process. The suspect could not remove the bracelet and fled the store.
GPD detectives, working with investigators from the Pineville Police Department believe that this is the same suspect who committed a similar crime in July in Pineville.
Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to contact the Gastonia Police Department at 704-866-6702. Residents may also call Crime Stoppers of Gaston County at 704-861-8000. Crime Stoppers pays a cash reward for a tip that leads to an arrest.
Suspect in Gastonia attempted theft
Suspect in similar crime that occurred in Pineville, North Carolina
