The man tried to shoplift food items by hiding them under his clothing. As the man tried to leave the store, employees told the man to stop and a fight ensued.

The man punched and kicked employees in an attmept to flee. The shoplifter hit his head on a metal pole, causing him to bleed during the fight. While being grappled by employees, the man threatened to stab them with his knife, and one witness thought they possibly saw him display a knife, which caused employees to release him. The man fled eastbound down an alley between College and Olive streets.

Victims and witnesses described the man as around 25 to 30 years of age, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-9, with a thin build and sandy blonde hair. A store surveillance system got photos of him.

If you were in the area of this incident and saw any suspicious people or vehicles at these times, or if you know the suspect, please call Crime Stoppers at (417) 869-TIPS (8477) or submit information securely online at www.tipsubmit.com. You do not have to give your name and no attempt is made to find out who you are.

Crime Stoppers takes information about drug dealers, wanted felons, and all other felonies.  It pays rewards of up to $1,000 in cash for the information that leads to the arrest and the filing of charges against people involved in felonies.