AKRON, Ohio – Police are searching for a couple accused of stealing from an Akron grocery store Wednesday morning and assaulting an employee who tried to stop them.

A 34-year-old man who works in loss prevention at Marc’s on East Waterloo Road in the city’s Firestone Park neighborhood told police that he saw a man attempt to leave the store around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday without paying for a cart full of items.

The employee and store manager approached the man, who was uncooperative and did not want to come back inside the store, according to police.

The shoplifter stepped away from the cart, which contained about $200 worth of merchandise, and began walking toward a dark-colored van driven by a woman who was waiting for him, according to a police report.

The Marc’s employee tried to detain the man by gabbing his arm, police said. The suspect got into the van and, with the employee still holding onto his arm, told the woman to start driving.

The employee hung onto the side of the van and was dragged a short distance across the parking lot, according to a police report.

The pair drove off in the van with a license plate starting with HDM, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Akron police detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-2677. Tipsters can also text TIPSCO to 274637. Callers can remain anonymous.

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