Pull.. or walk away?

[rbane3]

I work in a retail environment run very much like a small business. Typically 1-2 personnel on the clock at any one time. Often you are out on the floor helping customers or performing some cleaning task, rather than standing behind the cash register. At another of our stores, recently, a gentleman sneaked behind the cash register and - while kneeling on the ground to avoid being seen from the sales floor - began to empty the drawer into his pockets.

An employee of that store walked around the corner, and from about 30 feet away saw the guy behind the register. Their instinctual reaction was a "What are you doing?" They report being incredulous and shocked. Somewhere between "I can't believe he's doing that!" and "Is everything okay or did this guy trip?" The thief boldly continued to empty the drawer and say something about "I'm sorry, I have to do this." At no point did the thief physically threaten the employee.. but the employee didn't approach the thief any more after the initial verbal contact.

The employee backed away from the situation a few more feet, let the thief load up the rest of the money and leave, and then called the cops.

My initial reaction is relief that no one was hurt. My second is playing the situation out in my mind and trying to decide what I would do in that situation. So I'm curious...

What would you do?

 

[Cameramonkey]

No weapon, against the rules to carry on the clock, and not my $$? Talk sternly to him and hope he stops. If he runs away, so be it.

If he draws a weapon, its game on! Otherwise, follow company policy (no matter how insane) and let him walk. paper that belongs to somebody else isnt worth it.

 

[jd4320t]

Verbal "get the **** out of here", call the cops and be ready to protect yourself. Unless you didn't mention it, no one is paying you to pull your weapon and protect the store.

 

[chef larry]

Thief has a large set and was there any security cameras to see his face or what he was taking?

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

What are the owner's policies for such incidents? If I'm an employee, I'll probably follow whatever the boss says do, as long as it doesn't threaten my life/well being.

If I can, yeah, I'm calling the cops (if no weapon is displayed) while he's loading up.

 

[rbane3]

Owner's policy is full compliance and no interference with a robbery. However, they do allow CC with permit. No clear company policy on use of said weapon, but I would assume in defense of your own life, hostage situation, etc. I tend to agree with what's been said so far.. Just curious as to other opinions.

Thief has a large set and was there any security cameras to see his face or what he was taking?

QFT, chef larry.. huge brass ones apparently. Some DNA evidence recovered and some poor security camera footage. The cops were pretty excited about the DNA, so that's encouraging.

 

[rdavis006]

No threat of violence, I gain distance retain information about the suspect height, weight, identifiable features and markings, clothing, try to obtain license plate or direction of travel if feasible. Call for law enforcement when safe to do so. At anytime suspect displays violence and escalates the situation then defending myself by any means necessary would become appropriate.

 

[singlesix]

Lawyer attached to every bullet.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

I'd have mag-dumped on that mother****er. And then curbstomped the corpse.

 

[Frosty]

Maybe a stern get outta here, but if he didn't have a weapon I don't think that would be a threat of serious bodily injury or death. Now if he starts in your direction with a crazy look in his eye, yeah, I'd pull then. The weapon he could end up with could be out of your holster.

 

[cbhausen]

Just walk toward him with your cell phone taking pictures or video. That'll make him haul ass in a hurry. At least he wouldn't get all the money that way. Time to practice those weak hand cellphone drills.

 

[Libertarian01]

I'd have mag-dumped on that mother****er. And then curbstomped the corpse.

Here we go again with bleeding heart liberals going soft on crime...

 

[BehindBlueI's]

That's not a robbery. That's a theft. It's no different than a shoplifting, and the same level of force can be used. Ie, reasonable but not deadly force (assuming no escalation from the suspect that would otherwise justify deadly force). Store personnel can legally detain the suspect and notify police, and then turn custody over to the police upon arrival. Most states have some sort of "Shopkeeper's rights" and Indiana is no exception.

Now, what you can legally do and what your store policy limits you to are likely different.

Maybe a stern get outta here, but if he didn't have a weapon I don't think that would be a threat of serious bodily injury or death. Now if he starts in your direction with a crazy look in his eye, yeah, I'd pull then. The weapon he could end up with could be out of your holster.

Can you shoot someone for walking toward you with a crazy look in their eye? Is the gun in your hand a help or hindrance at that point?

 

[Rocketscientist]

That's not a robbery. That's a theft. It's no different than a shoplifting, and the same level of force can be used. Ie, reasonable but not deadly force (assuming no escalation from the suspect that would otherwise justify deadly force). Store personnel can legally detain the suspect and notify police, and then turn custody over to the police upon arrival. Most states have some sort of "Shopkeeper's rights" and Indiana is no exception.

Now, what you can legally do and what your store policy limits you to are likely different.



Can you shoot someone for walking toward you with a crazy look in their eye? Is the gun in your hand a help or hindrance at that point?

Im rather on the fence with this one. I think its hard to say what I would actually do without actually being there. Being able to size up the guy, read body language and behavior, and gut feeling plays big here. Hard to get that from just the story. Would I feel non threatened? Or would my gut scream "this is about to turn ugly." Who knows. My initial tendency beings hes not exactly stealing out of my pocket would be "Hey, you want a bag for your pile o' cash, sir? There ya go.. Thank you have a nice day!"

 

[foszoe]

I'd have mag-dumped on that mother****er. And then curbstomped the corpse.

LOL.

I'd call the police and use cell to take a pic from a safe distance. No visible weapon does not equal no weapon, so I wouldn't approach any closer.

 

[churchmouse]

I'd have mag-dumped on that mother****er. And then curbstomped the corpse.

I might have done something a bit more brash but that is just me.
Get on the phone with a description and direction of travel right away and let LEO's deal with the guy.
If you have no hands on training leave them be and live to go home.

 

[Birds Away]

Not only is it just money, it is somebody else's money.

 

[spec4]

Does OP have any idea if he was armed or not? I'd guess no in such case I'd get out of there and call the police.

 

[WarJunky91]

No weapon, against the rules to carry on the clock, and not my $$? Talk sternly to him and hope he stops. If he runs away, so be it.

If he draws a weapon, its game on! Otherwise, follow company policy (no matter how insane) and let him walk. paper that belongs to somebody else isnt worth it.

Exactly this. If it was my own personal shop that would be a different story. But if i'm just a cashier at Big Box Store #36752 i'm not going to pull my weapon the company says i shouldn't have on me if the guy isn't being a threat to anyone's safety.

 

[SEIndSAM]

I would think that you would want to make it more difficult to get into the cash drawer????