Police: Man attacks mall officer, steals badge and radio

James Jean Claude Pierre-Gilles

Credit: Hall County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Hall County Sheriff's Office

James Jean Claude Pierre-Gilles

A man is accused of beating a loss prevention officer at Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville to the point where he needed to be taken to a nearby hospital, police said.

James Jean Claude Pierre-Gilles of Lawrenceville allegedly approached the officer Sunday, demanded the officer’s radio and badge before beating the officer, Gainesville police spokesman Kevin Holbrook told Channel 2 Action News.

The officer was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for evaluation and has since been released, Holbrook confirmed.

He said Pierre-Gilles stole the officer’s badge and radio before running away, but witnesses were able to give a good description of the suspect, leading to his arrest.

The badge and radio, which Holbrook said Pierre-Gilles had when he was arrested, have been returned to the officer. Police haven’t identified a motive for the attack.

Pierre-Gilles faces battery, robbery and theft/shoplifting charges, according to Hall County Jail records. He remains in jail on a $6,650 bond.

In other news: