Shoplifting is never advisable, but at a local Wal-Mart in South Carolina, it became physically dangerous to boot. A "Loss Prevention" officer physically assaulted a woman he thought to be shoplifting, picking her up in a bear hug and, "slamming her face-first onto the floor." The loss prevention officer was arrested after the woman was rushed to the hospital to treat her injuries. She sustained a rather severe black eye, as you can see in the picture.
Now, of course, we don't condone shop lifting, but we're pretty sure that you shouldn't be slammed on the floor for it, either. Wal-Mart's statement regarding the incident were a bit blase: "First and foremost, the safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority. We always expect the utmost professionalism from our associates at all times. We are currently investigating the claims related to this situation and will take appropriate action. We are cooperating with police on their investigation." The guy was caught on camera, so what is there to investigate? If Wal-Mart is serious about the safety and security of their customers and the professionalism of their associates, shouldn't they simply fire this guy?
Here's the full story form WYFF news in South Carolina:
Officers: Wal-Mart Guard Slammed Woman To FloorA Wal-Mart loss prevention officer is under arrest after police said that surveillance video showed him grabbing a woman he suspected of shoplifting in a bear-hug and slamming her face-first onto the floor.
Spartanburg Public Safety officers were called to the Wal-Mart on Dorman Centre Drive on Tuesday after loss prevention officer Joseph Gregorie delete said he had detained a shoplifter at the store.
Gregorie told officers that he had observed 58-year-old Deborah Blackwell, of Greer, conceal several items in a tote bag while a male companion watched her do it. Gregorie said that Blackwell and the man then headed out the grocery store exit without paying for the items.
Gregorie said that Blackwell dropped the tote when he identified himself as an officer, but that she continued to try to leave the store. He said he grabbed her, and she lost her balance and they both fell.
Blackwell told officers that Gregorie had grabbed her in a "bear hug" and slammed her to the ground face first.
The officer reviewed the surveillance video, and said it confirmed that Gregorie had grabbed Blackwell in a bear-hug and threw her to the ground.
Blackwell was transported by ambulance to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for treatment of facial injuries. Police said that Blackwell's severe black eye was caused by the incident at Wal-Mart.
Blackwell is charged with shoplifting. Gregorie is charged with assault and battery.
Both have since been released.
Wal-Mart sent a statement to WYFF News 4 saying: "First and foremost, the safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority. We always expect the utmost professionalism from our associates at all times. We are currently investigating the claims related to this situation and will take appropriate action. We are cooperating with police on their investigation."
Posted by Taylor - November 14, 2008 03:37 PM - Hard to Believe
She deserved it. She was shoplifting. What's the problem here? I'm sure you conveniently left out the part of her trying to fight with the loss prevention officer in this story.
Posted by thomas - November 14, 2008 07:48 PM
This does not surprise me about Walmart. This past week the same thing happened to someone we know. He gave the merchandise back to an employee before leaving the store, then went outside only to be dragged back in by an employee of Walmart, choke hold through the store and slammed on the floor, injuring his nose, and he had to have stiches in a leg, yet hes in jail and the store associates are laughing it up.
We also found out from a Walmart employee that the managers at this same Walmart are said to be giving the employees big rewards for doing this very thing, and having them lie about it in court.
I can say that after we heard about the dealings there we no longer shop at that Walmart and are totally boycotting them all!!
I would hope this young lady sues and wins.
Posted by Cat - November 14, 2008 11:21 PM
Shoplifters should be tossed around, because of them prices get jacked up. Bear slam sure couldn't have made her any more ugly though, that's for sure. Looks like an improvement.
Posted by mike - November 16, 2008 11:17 AM
I'm not even going to address Mike's assertion that the woman in this case is ugly because it doesn't matter.
As for Thomas, she did not deserve this, just because she was shoplifting. There were many other ways this security guard could have dealt with her. Simply escorting her back to an office, for instance. Also, if you read the full article, it doesn't mention her fighting, and they have a security camera that capture it all.
Posted by BackStageLeftist - November 17, 2008 10:48 AM
Thomas,
If you feel that way, why not cut off her hand too? Seems like I've heard that somewhere before...
Yes, stealing is wrong. And the police and the courts will deal with her.
Unfortunately, the typical rent-a-cop doesn't understand the plain simple facts: They aren't real cops. They don't get to arrest you because they suspect you've done something wrong. They don't get to rough you up.
So many of them seem to have a chip on their shoulder about not being real cops, and they want to take out their inferiority on customers while we're in their little domain.
Despite their silly uniform and toy badge, these guys only have the same powers that any other citizen does: They can keep you from leaving until the real cops get there ONLY IF they actually witness a crime OCCURRING -- not one they THINK or SUSPECT has occurred.
The concept of probable cause for arrest applies to real cops -- not guys playing dress up.
You should check the citizen's arrest laws in your area just to be sure, but don't let these police academy drop-outs intimidate you. Your rights don't end just because you're on someone else's property -- especially when they've invited you over and over through commercials and coupon mailers.
Posted by ThaMothership - November 18, 2008 02:47 AM
I'm not surprised this lady was hurt if the loss prevention in her store is like the one I work in, they act like it is hunting season every day, see who can catch the most. I hope she sues and wins a bundle
Posted by Jude - November 24, 2008 05:59 PM
I witnessed something similiar down here in FL except the lady accused of shoplifting went back into the store with them and was cooperating fully. The loss prevention guy was a jerk from the start. He acted like he was getting a rush from treating her this way just like a junky gets a rush from getting high off of drugs. It ended up the woman was transported to the hospital for a possible heart attack after him fighting and man-handling her. He went as far as placing his hand in a very innappropriate place while witnesses watched. The woman went livid when he did and I can't say I blame her for it. There was a private citizen even stepped in because he seen what this man was doing to her and tried to intervene. In the end, the loss prevention employee pushed her backwards over a table breaking it and injuring her back in the process. A man in Texas was actually killed by Wal-mart employees a couple of years ago and Wal-mart ended up paying the man's family $750,000 - go figure. Maybe they need to clean their employee's acts up or give them some prozac to calm them down a bit. I don't condone shoplifting but heck I sure don't condone being a bully and hurting someone or killing them either. They should be a lot more professional at their job. Come on - if you can't handle a weaker strengthed female - perhaps you need to find a different line of work?
Posted by NightShade - December 6, 2008 08:50 PM
welcome to walmart....... where we will beat you up for stealing a stick of gum
Posted by daisey - February 10, 2009 12:09 AM