A security guard was dragged by a van through the parking lot of a Barrie Shopper’s Drug Mart after he tried to stop a suspected thief.

According to Barrie police, the guard spotted a man concealing several bottles of perfume at the Wellington Street drug store on Tuesday night. The man then dashed out of the store and hopped into the passenger seat of a silver Chevrolet Uplander van.

Police say the guard gave chase and reached into the van in an effort to retrieve some of the stolen property. That’s when the driver started to drive away – dragging the guard for about 10 feet.

The guard then dropped to the ground and sustained a non-life threatening head injury.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5’10”, with a heavy build and a scruffy face. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap with “Wilson” written on the front, a black leather jacket, a blue shirt, a black t-shirt and blue jeans.

Witnesses informed officers that the driver of the vehicle is believed to have been a female, but no description was given.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.