Police: Female jewelry store employee beaten during violent robbery

ALBEMARLE, N.C. — SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS: Suspected jewelry store robber

"While being shown some of the jewelry, he reached in and grabbed some from an unlocked case," said Capt. David Dulin, with the Albemarle Police Department. "When that happened, the store employee tried to refrain him from taking the jewelry, and a fight ensued in which the employee was hit several times."

"I think it's very disturbing that somebody would do that," shopper Nancy Lipe told Channel 9. "You know, robberies happen, but to beat somebody up in addition to that, that's the real shame of it."

The robber grabbed jewelry and ran out in front of Highway 24/27. The female employee was taken to the hospital to get checked out but is expected to be OK.

"My heart goes out to her," said David Allen, who owns a nutrition stop three stores down from where the robbery happened. He only saw police swarm the business after the robber fled.

The pictures of the suspect are through the door of the Dollar General next to Morgan Jewelers. Police don't have any surveillance video from inside the jewelry store and only a vague description of the suspect.

"We don't want this happening anywhere, especially in our city, in our country or our state," Dulin said. "This could turn into something deadly."

The owner of the jewelry store declined an interview, but said the cameras inside will be on and working.

If you have any information about the robbery, call Albemarle police at 704-984-9500, or if you would like to leave an anonymous tip to a voice mail, dial 704-984-9511.

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