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Police: Man Tried To Steal From Union Square DSW, Punched Officer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police late Friday were trying to identify a suspect who allegedly tried to shoplift from the DSW shoe store in Union Square, punched an officer in the face, and escaped.

Police were called around 4 p.m. Friday to the shoplifter at the DSW store at 40 E. 14th St., the NYPD said. Store officials met responding officers, who said the suspect tried to take several items from the store, police said.

Two officers tried to place the suspect under arrest, but he began fighting with the officers and punched one of them in the face, police said.

The man continued to struggle with the officers, and they all fell onto one of the clothing racks, police said. The suspect got up and ran off, police said.

The officers were both taken to Lenox Hill HealthPlex. One had suffered brusing to the face, while the other was complaining of pain to the body from falling onto the rack.

The suspect was described as a black male with short braids, wearing a yellow plaid shirt, a brown hat and glasses. Police have released surveillance photos.

Anyone with information was asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.

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