Shoplifting turns into an armed robbery for SB liquor store clerk

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – A store clerk confronted a man suspected of shoplifting and the suspect’s passenger pulled a gun on the clerk, according to police.

The incident happened Saturday night around 10:30 p.m. in the 3200 block of West Sample Street at South Bend Discount Liquors.

Police reports show the store clerk witnessed a man steal a large bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila. As the man exited the store and got into a vehicle, the store clerk ran after him.

That's when police say a passenger of the vehicle pulled a gun on the store clerk.

"Two male Hispanics were making a purchase and the male black actually shoplifted a bottle of liquor and then the clerk chased them outside to stop him," said Lt. David Newton with the South Bend Police Department.

The man told the clerk to back away from the vehicle or he would shoot him.

"They got into the vehicle and they left," said Newton.

Police say the whole incident was captured on surveillance video from both inside the store and outside.

"We are going to get the surveillance from the store, we are currently waiting for and then a detective in our detective bureau will be following up on the case so we can identify these parties. It went from a larceny to a robbery,” said Newton.

The three men were in a maroon Cadillac Escalade and were last seen heading north on Kentucky Street.

If you have any information on this case SBPD are asking you give them a call at (574) 288-STOP.