Shoplifter beats up store manager before fleeing

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are searching for a shoplifter who turned violent at a Kendall supermarket.

A store manager at the Publix located on Southwest 104th Street and 117th Avenue tried to stop the shoplifter, Monday morning, just before noon. The crook then turned on him and began pummeling him to the ground before he took off on a bicycle.

Before the confrontation the crook shopped throughout the store, but simply walked out without paying for his items. "Walks around the store," said Miami-Dade Police Detective Javier Baez, "obtains the merchandise. As he's exiting the supermarket, he gets confronted by the store manager. At that time this individual suddenly turns around and attacks the store manager, he brutally attacks him, where he later leaves the store."

Anthony Rodriguez was at the Publix looking for work. He offered some experience advice for how to handle shoplifters. "My boss would always tell me, if somebody was trying to get a five-finger discount or trying to rob the place, you don't try to stop him," he said. "You try to call loss prevention, and they will come and get the person for you. But you never touch them. You don't talk to him, you don't do anything."

Publix has not commented on this case.

The subject wore an orange cap, white tank top and jeans. He lost his cap in the skirmish to reveal a bald head.

If you have any information on this attack, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)