Deputies need help identifying a jewelry burglar who is accused of stealing a gold necklace and bracelet that totals more than $23,000.
The burglary happened Tuesday evening at the Mirage Diamonds & Fine Jewelry store inside the Brandon Town Center Mall.
According to authorities, the man browsed the store and then ran out after an employee let him try on the items. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office released surveillance video of the incident, which showed the employee chasing after the suspected burglar.
Deputies said the employee got onto the hood of the getaway car and flew off of it as the car sped away. Authorities are searching for the getaway car, which is a newer model silver 2 door Camaro.
According to the sheriff's office, the employee is in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital.
"It's really important that we catch this guy obviously from the nature of his actions (he) very easily could have killed this poor victim," Larry McKinnon with the sheriff's office said.
If anyone has any information about the case, they need to call the sheriff's office (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers 1 (800) 873-8477.
