Omaha police are searching for a skater accused of trying to steal a skateboard from Zumiez skate shop at Westroads Mall before allegedly hitting a store employee with the board while attempting to leave.
Surveillance footage from inside the mall captured the man leaving the Zumiez store wearing a white shirt.
According to employees, he had been acting belligerently and appeared to be stumbling around the store before allegedly attempting to take a skateboard.
Things reportedly escalated when an employee confronted him.
Police were told that the man allegedly “bodied” the worker and struck her with the skateboard as he tried to make his way out of the store.
Despite getting out of the Zumiez location, the suspect did not leave with the skateboard. He reportedly abandoned it before making his way through the mall.
Police are now asking the public for help identifying him.
Authorities describe the suspect as a Black male standing around 5 feet 7 inches tall. He reportedly has spiky hair with purple tips and was wearing a gold watch and bright yellow shoes at the time.
Anyone who may recognize the man or have information about the incident can contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402 444 STOP. Tips can also be submitted through the P3 Tips app or online.
According to Omaha Crime Stoppers, tips remain anonymous, and people who provide information will not be required to testify.
The organization operates as a nonprofit affiliated with the Omaha Police Department, with reward payments approved by its board of private citizens.
Those rewards are funded through donations and fundraising rather than the police department's budget.