Longview, Wash., police say a man pulled out what appeared to be a small samurai sword on Fred Meyer employees after he was caught shoplifting a box of boots and alcohol on Monday.

No one was hurt and the man escaped the Fred Meyer at 3184 Ocean Beach Highway with the stolen items.

The store's loss prevention officers approached the man as he was leaving with the items a little after 12:30 p.m. When the employees identified themselves, police said the man pulled out an 18-inch blade from his coat and ran towards Ocean Beach Highway as the workers backed away.

He was last seen running through an apartment complex in the 3000 block of Maryland Street.

The man is described as appearing very skinny, in his 30s, standing 5'7" with dark hair, a mustache and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, black leather coat, black t-shirt and jeans.

Last December, a shoplifter cut off most of a security guard's ear with a hatchet at the same Fred Meyer. Longview resident Adrian Jess Kramer, 31, was sentenced last Thursday to 35 years in prison for his role in the assault.

Anyone with more information on the man involved in Monday's incident should call the Longview Police Department at 360 442-5800.

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