A tense armed robbery at Dillard’s Department Store in Fairview, Texas, over the weekend left employees and shoppers in shock.

Fairview police received a call shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday reporting the incident at 121 E. Stacy Road.

Four suspects entered through the store’s south entrance and headed directly to the designer bag section. While three suspects busied themselves with removing security tags, the fourth acted as a lookout. When an employee approached to offer assistance, one of the suspects threatened her with a gun, warning her not to intervene, Fox 4 reported.

The suspects swiftly grabbed as many bags as possible and fled through the same entrance. Authorities believe the white Honda Accord they used for their getaway may have Louisiana paper license plates.

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Descriptions provided by witnesses indicate the suspects include one man and three women, all identified as African American.

Investigators suspect the group may be linked to other recent thefts and robberies across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The suspects’ methodical approach and coordinated actions suggest this was not a spontaneous crime.

Police are reviewing security footage to gather more details and confirm the identities of those involved. As the holiday shopping season is in full swing, this incident has heightened concerns for retail security. Many stores in the area are reinforcing safety measures to prevent similar crimes. Shoppers are being urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

This robbery underscores the growing trend of organized retail theft affecting high-end retailers nationwide. Such crimes often involve multiple perpetrators who plan their heists to minimize the risk of getting caught.

Security experts note that these theft rings frequently target luxury goods due to their high resale value. The quick escape in a waiting vehicle further points to a well-executed plan.

The suspects’ use of potential out-of-state plates complicates efforts to trace them, suggesting they may have traveled from outside the region. Police departments across Texas are collaborating to track down these theft groups before they strike again.

The threat directed at the store employee highlights the increasing boldness of these criminals. Instead of fleeing when confronted, the suspect escalated the situation by threatening violence.