"Brazen" thieves are prompting Fargo police to warn liquor stores to be on their guard.
In recent days, at least three liquor stores in Fargo have had attempted or completed thefts by a group of men working together, Police Lt. Tod Dahle said Friday.
"This is pretty brazen and high risk," Dahle said, adding that in each case a group of four to five men enters a store together.
One or two of the men distract clerks while the others take bottles of liquor and run.
The suspects are described as black males in their mid-20s.
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The men are of average height with thin builds.
Main Liquors, 4000 Main Ave., was victimized Sept. 10, but the thieves only got away with one bottle of liquor.
Thursday night, the Bottle Barn at 2301 S. University Drive was hit about 7 p.m. and the Bottle Barn at 2525 9th Ave. S. was hit three hours later.
In the first case, liquor worth $100 to $500 was taken.
In the second incident, the thieves fled the store, leaving behind what they had intended to take. Employees chased the group for a distance, Dahle said.
In most cases, police don't advise store employees to pursue suspects, Dahle said.
"Especially if you're only one employee chasing after four, five people," he said.
Dahle said a similar rash of thefts occurred last year. In some cases, thieves attempted to return liquor to stores to get money or credit.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
