Sprint Employees Fired For Stopping a Shoplifter

[Kelmar]

Sprint Employees Fired For Chasing Down Shoplifter - cbs4denver.com

Two former Sprint employees are now looking for new jobs after they were fired for chasing down a shoplifter.

Paul Shoemaker and Mike McGee worked at the Sprint store in the Cherry Creek Mall. They were on break when they heard someone calling out for help. It turned out to be an elderly security guard from another store who was chasing someone.

The two men joined in the chase and caught the suspect who turned out to be a shoplifter. They caught up to the shoplifter in the parking garage and held him down until police arrived. When Sprint found out about their actions, the company fired the two men for violating a policy which prohibits chasing shoplifters.

"I just reacted to the fact that I heard, 'Help, help, help, somebody please help stop this guy,'" Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker was an employee at the story for 6 years and McGee for 4 years.

"They told me that I'm no longer employed with the company," Shoemaker said.

CBS4 contacted Sprint but the company said it would not comment on human resources issues because of privacy concerns.

 

[chadwick108]

Wow

 

[SoulTerror]

It is company policy, but I don't agree with it. It's things like this is the reason the world is screwed up! You can't even stop criminals anymore.

 

[egkor]

Spint's policy is probably meant for chasing shoplifter(s) from their own store.

Companies (retailers) don't want their employees to get shot or hurt trying to be a hero. Liability issues.

 

[kwaping]

After reading this, I'm tempted to vote with my dollars and get the Incredible instead of the EVO. I was on the fence about switching to Sprint before. I don't want to support a company that makes such poor decisions - who knows what other brain-dead decisions they make on a daily basis?

I do support the policy, by the way. I just don't support the blind enforcement of it.

 

[momoceio]

Oh c'mon, like Verizon or any other big corporation wouldn't pull the same crap. I also agree with the policy, but it makes it a little more sketchy since they were on break. If it's a paid break...then I guess the policy still stands but if unpaid then it holds no water.

 

[chum1600]

When I worked at Sears they made it very well known that we were not to stop shoplifters from other stores. We were told in training that we would be fired if we broke the rule. I don't agree with it either, but many companies have that same policy.

When I was a manager for walgreens I had to write the midnights guy up because a guy came in asking for the money in the draw with a little pocket knife. My midnights guy always had a knife on him and told the robber to "put his little toy away before he showed him what a real knife looked like." It scared the robber but my boss was pissed that he didn't just give him the money.

 

[Caloy]

If they were not inside the Sprint Store, and on a break, technically they should be able to be good samaritans if they wanted to. I hope Sprint will review their policy and encourage their employees to do the right thing, re-hire their former employee for doing the right thing and give them a raise.

Seeing these type of news makes me think what kind of twisted world we live in.

 

[RiverOfIce]

Seeing these type of news makes me think what kind of twisted world we live in.

We do live in a twisted world. But let me explain how twisted.

Samaritan laws, in most cases, only cover medical treatment. Not vigilantly justice.

This is a really common scam.

Takes many different forms.

1.) Create a crime and run. While the store is chasing you, your partners rob the store.
2.) Have someone scream robber and then sue the people are chasing you and tackling you.

Two reasons you don't chase a criminal once they leave the store. It is just property. It is worthless, compared to human life.

If you do not fire them for breaking policy, then someone else will, and you will place an item ahead of human life.

So, even though I understand what you are saying. IT is property, property that has to be insured.

If they chased the guy and the store got robbed then what?

If they chased the guy and accidentally snapped his neck? Do you think he would not sue?

There is a difference between property and human life. There is no reason to risk human life over property.

He could have got into a waiting car and sped away. Mowing down 10 people.

You do not play games with life, if it is over property.

They could have got hurt, they could have gotten someone else hurt, or created a bigger robbery.

Not smart, call the police. Report the crime. And watch the video to get photos of them.

But please dont take justice into your own hands, over property.

 

[Charlie Hustle]

After reading this, I'm tempted to vote with my dollars and get the Incredible instead of the EVO. I was on the fence about switching to Sprint before. I don't want to support a company that makes such poor decisions - who knows what other brain-dead decisions they make on a daily basis?

I do support the policy, by the way. I just don't support the blind enforcement of it.

Im sorry, but what does that have to do with you purchasing a phone? Sprint is not clubbing baby seals. They are just enforcing their policies. Its unfortunate that these two lost their jobs for being good peoples, but they have to make sure that a lawsuit isnt on their hands also. I hope sprint hire them back though. If not, theyll get hired somewhere elas.