Gwinnett Police search for steak knife-wielding robber

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Investigators hope newly-released surveillance video will help them track down an armed robber.

According to Gwinnett County Police, a woman walked into the Boost Mobile store on South Norcross Tucker Road Sunday afternoon and pretended to shop.

"She acted like a customer for almost an hour. She was just walking around and browsing and looking at flyers and different phones," said Gwinnett Police Sgt. Jake Smith. "There were other customers in and out of the store. So, two things--she may have been working up her courage to actually do this robbery or also likely just waiting for the other customers to be absent from the store."

Once the woman was alone with the clerk, police said the suspect asked to see an iPhone 6. She then walked behind the counter, threatened the employee with a steak knife and left with the phone.

Officers described the suspect as a white or Hispanic woman, who stands approximately 5' 4" and weighs 135 pounds.

"She's pretty distinct looking. She's got a distinct haircut. She has a pretty distinct mark on her temple. We thought initially it was a tattoo, but it looks like maybe it's a birthmark or a mole," Sgt. Smith said.

Investigators ask anyone who recognizes the woman from the surveillance images to call Gwinnett Police at 770-513-5367.  If tipsters would prefer to remain anonymous, they can contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).