Cops: Earring thief escaped store security

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and the Fourth Precinct Crime Section are looking for a man who tried to steal a pair of earrings from a store in the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove and then broke away from store security before police arrived at the scene.

Suffolk County police Wednesday released photographs of the suspect taken from video surveillance cameras at the Sears store.

At about 1:30 p.m. on April 4 the suspect took a pair of earrings worth $15 from a display and tried to leave without paying for them, police said.

The suspect was stopped by a security guard and police were called, but he broke away and fled before officers arrived.

The suspect was seen getting into a green Ford Explorer driven by a woman, police said.

Police said the suspect had a star-shaped tattoo on each shoulder and tattoos on both his elbows and forearms.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers, 800-220-8477. All calls will be kept confidential.