CATLETTSBURG, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Police are asking for help in identifying a man they say is short changing businesses in Catlettsburg.

Police Capt. Terry Clark says the man is caught on camera in at least two businesses scamming the cashiers.

"Their goal is to work as quickly as possible, confuse you to get your money," Clark said.

Clark says the man stole from the Tri-State Pawn and Jewelry shop, as well as Bowling Feed and Hardware which is right down the street.

"If he's hit two businesses, you guarantee he's probably hit five to 10 and they're not aware of it," Clark said. "Possibly the employee that was the victim was too embarrassed to say anything to the boss or even the owner of the business. Might have been too embarrassed to call the police."

The thief got away with $50 at the hardware store, according to the manager. At the pawn shop, the man got away with $150.

"He knew exactly what he was doing when he short changed her," said Cody Williams, the general manager at the pawn shop. "She [the cashier] realized shortly after we did the transaction that something was wrong."

Williams said the man walked in and asked the cashier to ring up a $1 DVD.

"He was nice and he was very matter-of-fact like he knew what he was doing and trying to confuse her," said Williams who says the man did more of telling instead of suggesting. "Give me this.I'll take that. You take this."

Clark says the "nice" behavior is common for this type of crime. He says the suspects are friendly and even charming.

"A lot of times they're very touchy-feely when they come up to you," Clark said. "They're asking you questions. They're smiling at you and things like that, trying to put you at ease and to trust them. You look at them. You talk to them. They act like they're your best friend."

Then, Williams said the man wanted to pay with a big bill.

"He gives her more money than what he needs, asks for change," Williams said. "He repeats this process several times until she's totally confused."

Clark says this is also a classic move. He says the scammer will ask to purchase a cheap item and pay with a large bill. The scammer will then try to convince the cashier that he or she gave the employee a different bill than the customer really did.

This process will continue until the employee has lost track of the money. Meanwhile, the person may have even swiped some of the money off the counter.

The suspect was caught on surveillance video at both businesses.

Williams says his goal, in addition to warning others, is, "To find out who it is and put him in jail. Obviously he's hitting several local businesses."

The suspect's vehicle was also caught on camera in the parking lot.

Police say the man drove a silver Dodge Nitro. The model year is between 2011 and 2016. They do not have a license plate number though.

To avoid falling victim to this con, Clark says to take these precautions:

Leave the cash outside of the register so the scammer can't convince you he/she gave you a different bill.

Only handle one transaction at a time. Don't let the person try to swap change in the middle of the checkout.

If the person seems suspicious, call over another employee for any reason, even if it's just for a price check. Police say the more people you have around, the more nervous the person will become and he/she may give up and leave.

If you think the same man short changed your business, call Catlettsburg Police at (606) 739-5126.