Home Depot Workers Fired For Catching Shoplifters

[Matt Molnar]

KOCO.com:

Man Says Home Depot Fired Workers For Catching Thieves

POSTED: 6:07 pm CDT June 4, 2007
UPDATED: 10:07 am CDT June 6, 2007

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. -- A former Home Depot employee said the company fired him and three other workers because they helped police catch several suspected shoplifters in May.

Midwest City police said the men helped officers catch suspected shoplifters as they tried to run from a store with lawn equipment.

An internal memo from Home Depot outlines that associates cannot accuse, detain, chase or call the police on any customer for shoplifting. However, one of the fired employees said the company is selective in enforcing that policy.

"The loss-prevention guy at our Shields (Boulevard) store turned around and told me all we need to do is tell the shoplifter to have a good day as they leave the store. I said that just doesn't make sense."

Bob Stewart said what really doesn't make sense is a termination letter Home Depot gave him and three other employees after they helped police catch the shoplifters.

"We saw them with the merchandise. We saw them run out of the store. I never kept my eyes off of them. Then when we asked them for a receipt, and that's when they dropped the merchandise and they kept running. One guy still had a chainsaw while he was running, and that's when the cops tackled him," he said.

The letter said Stewart and the others were fired because "he pursued and assisted in the apprehension of suspected shoplifters."

Stewart said all he did was call police, something he's done before. Less than eight months ago, he said that he received a letter -- a commendation letter -- for helping police catch a thief trying to steal $2,500 worth of wire.

On the top of the letter, written in bold letters was "Great job, Bob."

Home Depot officials said Eyewitness News 5 an e-mail saying that they have "standard operating procedures in place for situations like this," and that "from time to time, we find inconsistent execution in our stores."

However, they added that they do not discuss personnel matters and will not comment on this specific case.

Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes said he won't comment on the store policy but said they would probably not have caught the suspects or recovered the property or the stolen car they drove if it had not been for the help of these four employees.

Clabes said he is considering giving the four men letters of appreciation for helping catch the suspects.

[Tom_Turner]

Its too bad lawyers have been allowed to help destroy our society.

[T-Bird76]

The employees were stupid to do what they did. There's been countless cases where employees have chased shoplifters struggled with them and have been stabbed and even killed, that's why those polices are in effect. Answer this question why would you put yourself at risk over a chainsaw?

[PHL Approach]

Wrongful termination suit...

[Tom_Turner]

I suspect this action is being taken due to the warped (although accurate) fear of being sued BY THE CRIMINALS *if* the criminal gets hurt in any way....

Tom

[Midnight Mike]

Here is the way that shoplifters should be treated...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/466232/sh ... rs_busted/

[Tom_Turner]

Here is the way that shoplifters should be treated...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/466232/sh ... rs_busted/

Mike -

EXCELLENT!!!

Some of these shoplifters ought to simply be hand cuffed to parking meters for a few days to think about what they've done.

TT

[Matt Molnar]

The employees were stupid to do what they did. There's been countless cases where employees have chased shoplifters struggled with them and have been stabbed and even killed, that's why those polices are in effect. Answer this question why would you put yourself at risk over a chainsaw?

The reason is not fear that the employee will get hurt, but that the alleged shoplifter will get hurt and sue. There are also laws regarding where you can detain the shoplifter (while walking toward the door, or in the vestibule, or once he gets outside) which vary by jurisdiction, and in some states (including New York) there are laws requiring people acting as security guards to be licensed and trained as such.