PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland police are searching for a violent shoplifter who attacked a security guard at a Fred Meyer store on Monday.

Portland police officers said the security guard tried to stop the shoplifter from leaving the store at about 2:30 p.m., but the shoplifter fought back, hitting the guard in the face. The use of force turned the shoplifting incident into a robbery.

Fred Meyer would not specify which items were stolen in the robbery. Shoppers said the crime is worrisome.

"I live two blocks from here. I don't want to think of them running loose around my house," said Rita Nuckolls, who was shopping at the Fred Meyer on Monday.

Two Portland officers who patrol the area said they respond to 1 to 3 theft reports at the Fred Meyer each day. On Monday, they were called to three shoplifting calls in a two-hour span.

Shopper Fatima Anderson said the proximity to the MAX station makes Fred Meyer a popular spot for thieves.

"It's so easy to hop on and hop off a couple stops away before there's any type of response from police," she said.

In Monday's case, the man did not escape on the MAX; instead, he left in a car, but police have not released a vehicle description.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call Portland police.