Winnipeg cops want store owners to tell their employees not to confront shoplifters after a man was seriously injured at the Polo Park Foot Locker store.
Police were called to the store around 8:30 Thursday night and learned the suspect who had tried to steal several articles of clothing, attacked an employee who confronted him.
Cst. Tammy Skrabek told 680 CJOB that the victim was sent to hospital in unstable condition, and urges retailers to take a hands-off approach to potentially violent shoplifters.
“We’re still recommending that stores follow the protocol that they have, whatever training that they have for store security,” she said.
“So if that means advising their staff not to confront people they feel will be violent, then that’s what they’re asked to do, and then contact police as soon as possible so we can deal with it.”
The suspect, a 17-year-old boy, is facing charges for robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon.
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