St. Paul police are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect in a brazen afternoon robbery Sunday at a RadioShack store in Highland Park.

The suspect pulled out a gun and zip-tied employees before fleeing with three backpacks containing cellphones and other electronics, police spokesman Howie Padilla said Monday.

"Fortunately, we were lucky here," he said. "No one was injured."

The boldness of the crime led police to release surveillance photos and to seek the public's help, Padilla added.

Officers were called to the RadioShack at 2026 Ford Pkwy. about 2 p.m. Sunday.

According to reports, the suspect, described as 6 feet tall and stocky with tattoos on his neck, ordered employees to load the backpacks with electronics and, "to facilitate the robbery," bound employees with zip ties, Padilla said.

Cellphones, he noted, have become a hot commodity among thieves.

"This could be a cautionary tale, frankly, for all of us," Padilla said. "We all need to be aware."

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 651-266-5650.

Anthony Lonetree