A man is facing charges for allegedly attacking a loss prevention officer at Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville.
James Jean Claude Pierre Gilles of Lawrenceville is accused of approaching the officer Sunday and demanding the officer's radio and badge, and when the officer refused, Gilles allegedly started beating the officer in the face to the point that the officer was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for evaluation.
"Loss prevention officers are often the ones approaching individuals, but this case was exactly the opposite," said Sgt. Kevin Holbrook, Gainesville Police public information officer, in an interview with AccessWDUN.
Gilles took the radio and badge, and left the scene shortly after the incident, but not before witnesses were able to give officers a good description of what he looks like.
"Officers approached the suspect within close proximity to the mall, on Shallowford Road. [Gilles] was taken into custody without incident, and he still had the loss prevention officer's items on his person when he was taken into custody," said Holbrook.
Police are still unsure of a motive. Gilles is charged with robbery by force.
"We're very fortunate to get him off the streets," said Holbrook.
