CONYERS, Ga. -- A jewelry store employee captured on surveillance video tussling with a robbery suspect was able to break free from his grip and get out of the store safely, according to police.
Conyers Police responded to a call regarding two suspicious people inside the Kay Jewelers on 1620 Dogwood Drive around 8 p.m. Wednesday.
A patrol officer responded almost immediately because he was already inside the store's parking lot and was able to interrupt the robbery as it was taking place.
One of the two suspects ran out of the back door of the building, but police said the other man pulled out a pistol and pointed it at an employee. Surveillance video shows the suspect pulling that employee, a woman, to the back of the store. Police believe the suspect wanted to hold her hostage in order to escape.
But his suspected escape plan failed. The officer ordered him to let her go and the woman was able to break free and run away.
The officer fired his weapon a the gunman as he ran out of the back door, police said. It's unclear if the suspect was hit.
Another officer responded ran after the armed suspect who ran out the back door toward a nearby Mitsubishi dealership. The officer heard a gunshot come from the wood line where the suspect fled.
Police set up a perimeter and searched the area for several hours with the assistance of Rockdale and Newton County Sheriff’s Office deputies, but the suspect managed to escape.
