Amherst Police are looking to locate Maiya Marks, 18, of Buffalo. She is considered a person of interest regarding the assault of a Macy's security guard on Monday night.
Shortly after 6:00 Monday night, Amherst Police responded to the Macy's at the Boulevard Mall.
Police tell 7 Eyewitness News a male security guard at the store witnessed three females shoplifting. The guard said he confronted them, and they were cooperative at first, until police say one panicked and stabbed the man in the leg.
"The individual who was stealing the property was confronted by security and at some point stabbed him in the leg," said Amherst Police Chief John Askey.
Police say the guard and other witnesses saw the women cut security cables on clothing, and tell us after the altercation, the women left the merchandise behind.
"The shoppers were there and have reported to us what they say," said Askey. "We have great cooperation from the public, and my guess is it will lead to an arrest soon."
Although the stabbing is rare, Amherst Police say they respond to a lot of shoplifting calls at the Boulevard Mall.
"We have a lot of action at that mall," said Askey. "We're dealing a lot of times with professional shoplifters, who are not afraid to use violence when they feel they have to."
Police say the guard is expected to be okay. Surveillance images have been helpful in this investigation, Askey says, but no arrest has yet been made.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Maiya Marks, you are asked to call the Amherst Police at 716-689-1311.
