Local

Owner: Thief who stole thousands in jewelry walked like a penquin

OAKWOOD, Ga. — Police need help finding a thief who stole tens of thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry from a local business.
 
Tuesday, Channel 2 Action News obtained surveillance video from Aardvark Antiques in Oakwood in Hall County showing the suspect with a unique walk.
 
"Similar to a penguin," is how store owner Charles Pharr described it.
 
Police and the store's owner said the man cased the business Saturday then returned Sunday.
 
"He asked the ladies working to measure a piece of art, but he was looking at the jewelry near the counter," Pharr said.
 
After walking around the store for an hour pretending to be a customer, Pharr said the man somehow made off with tens of thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry and small collectibles.
 
"These were full with nice rings, bracelets, vintage pieces," Pharr said.
 
Besides the man's unique walk, police said they have little to go on.
 
Investigators said the man kept his face hidden from security cameras and his hands in his pockets the whole time, which means no fingerprints.
 
The store's owner still hopes police will be able to track him down.
 
"I hope we can catch this guy and prevent it from happening to someone else," Pharr said.
 
Pharr said he is planning to upgrade his store's security system.
 
If you recognize the man in the video, Oakwood police want to hear from you. You can call them at 770-534-2364.