The Christmas rush was over, but Town Center at Cobb was still bustling with shoppers Saturday night. The three employees working at Brooklynn’s boutique were busy with customers.
“You don’t really keep track of what’s going on in the back,” an employee, Juliana Jacobus, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
While employees were busy, someone entered the shop’s back room and made off with their personal items including wallets, credit cards and cash. The Cobb County Police Department is investigating, with the help of surveillance camera footage.
“I have never thought about someone stealing stuff from the back of the store,” Jacobus said. “I never would’ve expected it.”
Shoplifting is the crime mall stores typically focus on, according to Brooklynn’s owner, Jodi Tiberio. But this time, merchandise also in the back room of the store was left behind. Tiberio said the store is implementing new safety measures to keep employees safe.
Jacobus, who turned 20 three days before Christmas, had cash and gift cards in her wallet — presents and gas money the Kennesaw State University sophomore hadn’t had a chance to use. Her items were stolen around 7:15 p.m. and a short time later, her debit card was used inside the mall, she told police.
Jacobus said her bank alerted her to possible fraud on the account before more charges were made.
“I am not keeping too many valuable things in my wallet at once until I’m ready to use them,” Jacobus said.
On Monday, the store posted the surveillance footage on its Facebook page and asked customers for help finding the culprits.
“We are working with the police on this but any other helpful tips would be appreciated!” Brooklynn’s posted. “Our staff is our number one priority and it’s heartbreaking that this happened. Our staff works so hard, especially during this holiday season!”
Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to contact Cobb County police at 770-499-3900.
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