Deputies are trying to identify a man who’s swindled two people into giving him cash to buy TVs at Sears at the Augusta Mall.

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Security camera image show theft suspect

The thief, who was identified only by his nickname “Man,” tells the victims he can get expensive TVs at cheap prices from the store, according to Richmond County Sheriff’s Investigator Aaron Hannsz. When they hand over the cash, the thief pretends to purchase the TVs then leaves the store.

“His whole pretense is getting TVs and electronics at a really discounted rate,” Investigator Hannsz said.

The first incident authorities identified happened on Jan. 17 and the most recent occurred exactly one month later. One of the victims told investigators he watched as “Man” shook hands with a sales associate at Sears who said he said would be giving them the discount.  Later, after the thief had taken his $800 and fled, the victim confronted the employee. According to a sheriff’s report, the employee said he didn’t know the man and that “the subject just walked up to him and shook his hand.”

Investigator Hannsz said a man matching the description of the thief was seen at the store on Feb. 20 but he ran from the mall after authorities attempted to stop him. In mall surveillance video, the theft suspect is wearing a brown jacket in the first incident and a gray jacket with a white T-shirt in the second incident.

Anyone with information can contact the sheriff’s office at (706) 821-1080 or Investigator Hannsz at (706) 821-1020.

Reach Adam Folk at (706) 823-3339 or adam.folk@augustachronicle.com.