Police officials said that this incident is the latest in a string of cases across the U.S. The rise in petty crime and shoplifting comes in the aftermath of the pandemic and increasing disparity of social and economic mobility in the U.S – as lawmakers continue to lower corporate tax burdens, cede to efforts to reduce government hand outs for the poor along with a general reluctance to raise minimum wages in line with the rising cost of living in the U.S – with general real wages falling or stagnant at best.
The 68-year-old worker, Dona, said that she was fired days after she attempted to stop shoplifters stealing more than $2,000 worth of merchandise from her store last month. ‘He punched me again and again’. The unfortunate worker said that she was beaten trying to stop shoplifters making off with over $2000 worth of goods has been fired by her employer. During the unfolding milieu, the worker was punched repeatedly in the face, leaving her with a black eye, WJCL News reported.
Despite standing up to the criminals, Dona was fired by after 13 years for violating company policy that state’s staff who witness shoplifting must not intervene and instead call authorities. ‘The guy decided he wanted to be let go, so he punched me and grabbed my glasses as I still held onto the cart,’ she told WTOC.
‘He punched me again and again’ the worker said tearfully. The suspects were identified as Takyah, her uncle Joseph and another man, Jarmar. Police say both of the suspects remain at large. ‘They say that if you see somebody stealing something out the door, not to pursue, not to go out,’ Dona said. ‘I just got tired of seeing things get out the door. I basically lost all the training. Everything they tell you to do, I just … I just lost it’ the former worker explained. ‘I didn’t expect to get terminated, maybe a reprimand or a suspension,’ Dona said. ‘I’m going to look for a new job. I can’t sit at home. I’m not that type of person.’ If the shoplifters are taken to trial, she said she will assist the authorities with whatever they need: ‘If they do need me, I will be there.’