Cops: Thief steals shopping bags at Tanger Outlets Riverhead, then threatens victim with apparent handgun

Police are searching for a suspect who they said stole shopping bags being loaded into a vehicle in the parking lot of the Tanger Outlets Riverhead on Sunday.

As the suspect fled, Riverhead Town police said one of the victims told them he displayed an apparent handgun and threatened: "Don't come closer or I will shoot you." He then drove off.

The theft occurred at 5:39 p.m., police said.

Police said the two victims, both male, reported they had placed three shopping bags on the ground behind their vehicle and had walked to the passenger side when the suspect, described only as a male, took the bags -- and fled in a red car.

One of the victims chased the car and "at some point the vehicle turned around in the parking lot and while passing [the victim] displayed what appeared to be a handgun" and threatened to shoot the victim, police said.

Police said the vehicle was described as a red four-door Toyota. They are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call investigators at 631-727-4500, ext. 302.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”