The rash of thefts from Atlanta clothing stores continues, but with a dangerous twist. In the latest incident, a clerk in a Buckhead boutique was attacked by robbers who fled the store with high-end blue jeans and t-shirts.

"We've had the smash-and-grabs where the boutiques' windows were smashed and they run in and grab the merchandise, and we've had the snatch-and-grabs where they just run in a store that's open and grab the merchandise," said Atlanta police Major James Sellers. "This is a little bit different because force was used against the employee."

The latest incident happened Wednesday shortly before 4 p.m. at the Brazil Fine Italian Menswear in the 1800 block of Peachtree Road, according to Atlanta police spokesman Eric Schwartz.

"Two guys came into the store; one was an older gentleman and one was a younger guy, believed to be about 15 or 16," Schwartz said. "They stayed in the store for a little while . . . basically, they were casing it, getting familiarized with the layout."

The two left the store, and about 10 minutes later, "they came back in with some other guys, about 5 or 6 males."

A female employee was pepper-sprayed and punched in the face by the suspects.

"After that, they grabbed the merchandise, as much as they could, and ran out of the store," Schwartz said.

He said police later recovered a stolen minivan used in the heist and were processing the vehicle for fingerprints.

Wednesday's robbery is being investigated by the task force set up earlier this year in response to a rash of retail store burglaries dating back to before last summer.

The so-called "blue jean bandits" have hit numerous stores, including Bluprint on Garrett Street in southeast Atlanta, the Thread House on West Peachtree Street in Midtown, Signature 4 Men on Lenox Road in Buckhead and Boogaloos, a clothing store in downtown Decatur.

Atlanta police have posted a $2,000 reward for information leading to arrests, but despite at least 10 arrests since the task force was formed in February, the thefts have continued.

Investigators have said the stolen goods are being sold relatively openly on the street, in nightclub parking lots and even at traffic lights.