DeKalb County

Target employee tied up during armed robbery near metro Atlanta mall

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Police say masked robbers pointed guns at a Target employee, then forced him back inside and robbed the store.

The attack happened at the Dunwoody Target by Perimeter Mall at closing time around midnight Wednesday.

According to the police report that Channel 2's Christian Jennings got her hands on, the men were wearing masks and gloves when they jumped out of white Honda Pilot and forced the employee back in the store.

In the surveillance video Channel 2 Action News obtained, it appears the robbers forced the employee to the safe room. The men made the victim put the money in bags that they brought. The suspects zip-tied the employee's hands behind his back before leaving.

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The robbers got away with nearly $30,000, according to police.

Police believe the robbery was planned, saying the men parked in the parking lot an hour before the crime.

“These perpetrators were staking out the place, watching the closing procedures and waiting for the right time to attack," said Sgt. Robert Parsons, with the Dunwoody Police Department.

Nimisha Patel works at the Carriage Cleaners at Perimeter Center. She said she feels pretty uncomfortable now that she knows what happened so close by.

"It is so sad to hear something like this because people are always walking after late night. It seems (like a) pretty secure place," Patel said.

A representative with Target sent us the following statement:

"At Target, the safety of our team members and guests is our top priority. Late last night, a robbery occurred at our Dunwoody location while the team was closing the store. Dunwoody police arrived onsite quickly and we have been providing them with information and security footage for their investigation. We are grateful our team member was not injured and will continue to help law enforcement in any way that can be helpful to their investigation." 

Police said the Honda Pilot had a drive-out tag and looked to be a 2003-2005 model.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Dunwoody police.

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