WEST OCEAN CITY — Local law enforcement agencies on Wednesday continue to look for a shoplifter who struck a store employee with his vehicle during an attempt to flee the scene at the Tanger Outlets in West Ocean City on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) were called to the Tanger Outlets in West Ocean City for a reported assault that had just occurred. During the investigation, it was revealed a store loss prevention employee at one of the outlet stores had attempted to stop a shoplifter from fleeing the business.

The alleged shoplifter took unknown items and attempted to leave the store and was followed by the loss prevention employee. The employee attempted to convince the suspect to return the items he had taken from the store. The suspect refused and entered a vehicle, identified as a newer model, lime green “boxy-style” vehicle, possibly a Kia Soul or a Scion XB.

The suspect then fled the scene, striking the store employee with the vehicle in the process. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect or the vehicle is urged to contact Det. Jason Burnett at WCBI at 410-632-1111.

Information can also be provided to the Lower Eastern Shore Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Crime Solvers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case.