Shoplifter awarded $12,000 in damages

[pope04]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

I have no sympathy for shop lifters at all (maybe it's the 5 years of retail in me) I once heard a story of a manager in our company chasing a guy down, jumping on his back and hauling him down by his neck.

Who the fark do you think you are walking into a store and just taking stuff?!

Some stores have different policies. I was in Home Despot once and a guy caught my eye because he was acting furtively. Sure enough, he stashed something in his coat and walked out, bypassing checkout altogether. I followed him and immediately told a cashier that he shoplifted, pointing out into the parking lot at the thief. She looked at me and shrugged, stating that "there's nothing that can be done after a shoplifter has walked out."

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

If they were kicking and punching the guy, don't you think they went beyond what was legal?

From the story, it appears that the shoplifter resisted being apprehended - if that is indeed the case, and you need to punch/kick him in order to subdue the man from escaping, then he shouldn't get a dime for his troubles.

The man made his own bed to lie in.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

From the story, it appears that the shoplifter resisted being apprehended - if that is indeed the case, and you need to punch/kick him in order to subdue the man from escaping, then he shouldn't get a dime for his troubles.

The man made his own bed to lie in.

Good thing you weren't a member of the jury durning the Rodney King trial. He would have ended up getting bupkis and you probabaly would have commended the cops for a "job well done".

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by pope04

Some stores have different policies. I was in Home Despot once and a guy caught my eye because he was acting furtively. Sure enough, he stashed something in his coat and walked out, bypassing checkout altogether. I followed him and immediately told a cashier that he shoplifted, pointing out into the parking lot at the thief. She looked at me and shrugged, stating that "there's nothing that can be done after a shoplifter has walked out."

Almost every store has that policy. It's not worth it for anyone to try and stop the thief and risk getting hurt over something that the store won't miss anyways.

When I use to work retail there was no way I am going put myself on the line for some merchandise that doesn't belong to me, it's not worth it and I didn't get payed enough to do my job let alone run down thief's.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

From the story, it appears that the shoplifter resisted being apprehended - if that is indeed the case, and you need to punch/kick him in order to subdue the man from escaping, then he shouldn't get a dime for his troubles.

The man made his own bed to lie in.

Security guards and grocery store employees are not trained or qualified to subdue or "apprehend" anybody if it takes physical violence. They don't have the authority.

Do you know what the qualifications to become a mall security guard are? I don't, but in Calgary I'm sure the ability to wear a hat is pretty close to the top of the list.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Do you know what the qualifications to become a mall security guard are? I don't, but in Calgary I'm sure the ability to wear a hat is pretty close to the top of the list.

Ha! Hey now...

Well not in a mall, but I did do security at an industrial place for a summer job once. Let's just say that I didn't stay at that job for too long.

However, to the point of your point. I have no experience or training in "security" stuff. But I sent in my resume, got the job, was asked if I could literally start that night, went home for a nap, and then proceeded to do that. For an overnight shift.

So long story short: I had no training, received no training and was working basically right after I had my interview.

Why I needed to take that long to say that, I do not know.....

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Good thing you weren't a member of the jury durning the Rodney King trial. He would have ended up getting bupkis and you probabaly would have commended the cops for a "job well done".

Yikes, don't you understand the difference between a beating and trying to stop a suspect from getting away?

Wow, just wow.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Yikes, don't you understand the difference between a beating and trying to stop a suspect from getting away?

Wow, just wow.

The cops charged King with Felony Evasion the night of the incident. That was part of their defense... he wasn't complying with their comands and was trying to get away.

So no.... I don't understand the difference between a beating and trying to stop a suspect from getting away.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I don't understand the difference between a beating and trying to stop a suspect from getting away.

Ok, that answers that question then.

So you don't believe that someone should be able to physically restrain someone who is trying to run away after committing a crime? That is what you are making it seem like.

The King incident is so completely different from this one, I have no idea why you even brought it up. Unless you were trying to imply I was somehow a racist too?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Ok, that answers that question then.

So you don't believe that someone should be able to physically restrain someone who is trying to run away after committing a crime? That is what you are making it seem like.

The King incident is so completely different from this one, I have no idea why you even brought it up. Unless you were trying to imply I was somehow a racist too?

Oh man... give me a break. You are so totally out to lunch. Of course I'm not implying you're a racist.

And as for you saying that someone (ie. a manager and a security guard) should be able to physically restrain someone who is trying to run away after committing a crime... of course they should. BUT... there is a BIG difference between physically restraining someone and punching & kicking them!

This argument with you is stupid and I'm not going to continue with it. ... because you are wrong... and I'm sorry you don't see it that way.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Yikes, don't you understand the difference between a beating and trying to stop a suspect from getting away?

Wow, just wow.

A "suspect" is a person the actual police go after (and in the case of Rodney King, beat with clubs). Security guards are not cops.

Funny thing -- I googled "security guard qualifications" and didn't get much, but I did ind out that in Maine you can be a security guard if you are:

At least 18 years of age. US Citizen or resident alien.
No felony convictions.
No more than a two misdemeanor convictions within the last five years.
Not have been dishonorably discharged from military service within the last five years.
Is not a fugitive from justice.
Is not a drug-abuser, drug addict or drug dependent person.

Now I may be a bit of an elitist, but I don't think people with those "qualifications" should be trusted to do much more than put on a blue uniform, let alone have the authority to physically assault and/or detain people.