Police seek help in BJ’s theft

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CRIME SCENE: The BJ’s Wholesale Club on Young Street was robbed over the weekend by a man who knew how to disarm an alarm system guarding cameras on display. The man took off with a Nikon camera valued at more than $700. DOUG BENZ/NEWS

January 31, 2012

By Neale Gulley The Tonawanda News The Tonawanda News Tue Jan 31, 2012, 01:01 AM EST

— — City of Tonawanda police are looking for help identifying a man they say robbed BJ’s Wholesale Club on Young Street over the weekend.

A high-resolution surveillance camera caught a good look at the robber, who is described as a white male, 200 pounds with black hair, who is thought to be in his 30s.

The man can be seen disabling an alarm system before unfastening a Nikon camera from its anchor on a multi-tier display, then tucking the camera into his jacket and exiting the store.

“There’s a display of cameras that are bolted down,” City of Tonawanda Police Lt. Fredric Foels said, adding the equipment is also fitted with an alarm system.

“Apparently, he knows how to disable the alarm.”

Video shows the suspect unfastening the camera, then leaving it in place before walking around to the other side of the display and whisking it into his coat.

“We’re hoping that someone might recognize this guy and call detectives,” Foels said.

The department wasn’t prepared to provide the News with still images on Monday, but did eventually release clips from the surveillance video to local news outlets.

“The video is pretty clear. It shows him somehow disabling the alarm, climbing up the display and unbolting the camera,” he said.

The theft occurred sometime Sunday afternoon, and police say the suspect appears to be familiar with theft-deterrent equipment used by the store.

“We’re pretty confident that somebody’s going to recognize this person and call,” Foels said. “We’re pretty confident we’ll make an arrest fairly quickly.”

The Nikon camera that was stolen is valued at more than $700. Only one camera was taken, Foels said, and the man so far is believed to have been working alone.

A female seen talking to a clerk at the store, however, has not been ruled out as possibly in collusion with the man.

“There is a female, we’re not sure if she’s involved,” Foels said. “She’s talking to a clerk at the camera counter, so we’re not quite sure if there is a co-defendant involved.”

Security personnel at the store contacted police shortly after the theft, and provided the video.

Those with information regarding the theft can call detectives at 692-2121, ext. 306.

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