By Bill Parry
Cops were searching for a man who recently stole merchandise from a Modell’s Sporting Goods store in College Point and then got physical with an employee who tried to stop him, according to authorities.
Law enforcement sources said the suspect, who is described by investigators as a black man in his 20s, entered the store at 139-17 20th Ave. around 9:15 a.m. on Dec. 7.
The perpetrator began removing more than $700 of merchandise before a Modell’s employee confronted him, police said. That’s when the suspect shoved the staff member to the floor and escaped, according to the NYPD.
Officers from the 109th Precinct responded to the scene. The employee suffered a laceration but refused medical attention at the scene.
On Dec. 16, the 109th Precinct tweeted out a blurry image of the suspect, who stands at about 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing black jeans and a black jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS; all calls are kept confidential.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
