Suspect wanted for stealing $40K watch from King of Prussia Mall

UPPER MERION TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police in Upper Merion Township are asking for help identifying the suspect who stole an expensive watch at the King of Prussia Mall.

The theft happened back on May 28 at around 3:45 p.m. inside the Breitling store.

Police say a man asked to see several different watches that were on display.

As the store associate removed the tray from the locked case, police say the suspect quickly grabbed a watch worth $40,000 and fled the store.

The suspect was last seen running into a back hallway of the mall, which is located on North Gulph Road.

This isn't the first time Breitling was targeted. Police say in September, a man stole a watch worth $43,500.

Our 6abc data journalism team says there have been 10 reported theft incidents at King of Prussia Mall in the last year.

Shoppers we spoke to say they feel safe at the mall, but they don't understand how these crimes continue to happen.

"It's absolutely crazy. It's a shame that people are doing this nowadays," said Nicole Whitaker, of King of Prussia.

"There's got to be a way to change that. No one should be able to walk out with stealing and just getting away with it so easily," said Ashley Gadille of Rittenhouse Square.

The King of Prussia Mall released this statement on the theft:

"King of Prussia Mall takes very seriously our responsibility to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for our shoppers, employees and retailers. We continuously invest in our industry-leading safety and security program, which is Department of Homeland Security Safety Act Certified. This program is extensive and contains numerous measures to deter crime and quickly respond to incidents."

Anyone with information is asked to call Upper Merion Investigations Division at 610-265-3232