Watch: Clerk Chases Liquor Thieves Off With Baseball Bat

Watch the video at the bottom of this post.

Three women who thought North Trail Liquors was going to be an easy target for theft found themselves sadly mistaken recently, according to Sarasota Police.

The women went into the 3428 N. Tamiami Trail store on Jan. 11, and the ruckus that ensued was caught on surveillance video.

The crime unfolded as one woman, who police believe was a lookout, walked up to the counter while on her cell phone. This woman, an email to media from the department stated, asked to see different bottles of liquor from behind the counter.

Shortly after that, two other women entered the store. The clerk spotted one of the women as she tried to hide a bottle of liquor in her purse. The clerk also told detectives she believed the second woman did the same.

Realizing the theft was occurring, the clerk locked the front door and tried to stop the women, asking to see inside their purses. When one of the woman placed her purse on the counter, the clerk saw a bottle of vodka in plain view, the email stated.

When the clerk tried to take the vodka, the two women tried to fight back, police said.

At that point, the clerk attempted to call 911, but was stopped when one of the women picked up another bottle of vodka and tried to hit her with it.

Fed up, the clerk grabbed a wooden bat from behind the counter and took the bottle back. The women then tried to leave through an unlocked side door and spit on the clerk when she tried to follow them, police said.

The women did get out of store and were last seen driving in a gray older model minivan.

Anyone who recognizes the women is asked to call Det. Dan Riley at 941-954-7062. Tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Surveillance images courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department

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