Sharp-sighted employees at Belk on North Main Street and quick-responding police managed to stop two costly shopliftings less than two hours apart on Sunday.

Police made an arrest in one of the cases.

Eric Lamonte Francis, 25, of the 100 block of Linden Avenue, is charged with petty larceny. Police say he took jeans and a shirt valued at about $114 from the Belk store.

According to city spokeswoman Debbie George, the suspect was observed shoplifting about 7:30 p.m., and store employees called police to give them a description of the suspect and vehicle.

Police stopped the vehicle as it was leaving the parking lot and charged Francis, George said.

In the other incident, which happened about two hours earlier, two unknown offenders took a bracelet and a necklace and earring set from the store without paying. The items were valued at about $100, George said.

The store’s loss prevention officer confronted them outside and retrieved the stolen merchandise, but the suspects left before police arrived.

Anyone who has information is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers to Crime Line never have to give their names or appear in court, and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.