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Police look for couple wanted in medicine thefts

BRASELTON, Ga.,None — Police are working to bust a shoplifting ring they say targeted over-the-counter medicines.

Investigators told Channel 2's Linda Stouffer the thieves have hit stores in Gwinnett, Barrow, Hall and Jackson counties.

Officers said the thieves hit the Publix in Braselton twice over the holidays, taking high priced items like over the counter medicines and tooth whitening kits

Braselton's assistant police Chief Lou Solis showed Stouffer surveillance video of a man and woman stealing from the store.

"It looks like he's going into the cart, but he's not. He's just keeps going back and forth," Solis said.

Police said the thieves are targeting the most expensive cold medicines, which can sell for more than $20 and heartburn products.

They are also taking tooth whitening strips, stealing up to 20 boxes at a time, police said.

"That was one of their biggest hits right here. $1,400 just for this store," Solis said, taking Stouffer through more surveillance video.

Solis said they want to find this pair and another man connected to shoplifting in at least 4 Publix stores.

Officers said the Publix stores were near Interstate 85, including Hamilton Mill in Gwinnett County and Highway 211 in Braselton.

During one of the last thefts, police said the men wore loose jackets, making several trips.

By the time they finished their pass through this aisles, investigators said the coats are loaded up with merchandise which the thieves then sell at half the price.

"They are selling all these products. They are getting rid of it right away," Solis said.

Police said eventually everybody pays for crimes like these when stores have to raise their prices to cover the thefts.

Police are asking anyone with information in these thefts to call the Braselton Police Department at 706-654-3915 extension 1101.

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