A shoplifting went bad and one of the people involved brandished a knife and lunged at a security officer, Jefferson County sheriff's detectives said Monday.

The incident took place last Thursday, a little after 5 pm at Burlington Coat Factory at Salmon Run Mall.

Two black women shoplifted items from the store, but as they attempted to leave they were approached by a store security officer, according to a statement from detectives.

"One of the suspects brandished a knife and lunged at the Loss Prevention Officer in the presence of a witness and a child," according to the statement.

The women fled in a light colored (maybe silver) Chevrolet Blazer.

Detectives are trying to identify the suspects and a witness seen by the security cameras.

Suspects include a black woman, about 6 feet tall, large build, mid 20s, black winter coat with gray fur on the hood, black hat, black pants.

The other suspect is also a black woman, about five feet, six inches tall, slender build, mid 40s, black coat, short black/gray hair, dark blue jeans.

The witness is a black woman, five feet, six inches tall, wearing a light colored headband, a hair clip, black coat, black tights with a young child wearing a black and white coat, red or orange winter hat.

The sheriff's office asks anyone with information to contact detectives at 786-2674.