Billings Montana Man Fired for Stopping Thief

[WildBill]

A 51 year old man Roger Kline was fired from his job at Best Buy when he tackled a man trying to steal a laptop computer. Kline said he was standing near the front doors when he heard the store manager announce on the speaker system that someone was running through the store trying to steal laptops. Kline saw the running man and began to move toward the front doors. "As he stood up, I grabbed a hold of him and threw him to the ground," he said.

The man, 45-year-old Brent Carter Latendresse, was arrested and has been charged in with felony theft and misdemeanor drug possession.

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[RoyGBiv]

I suspect someone will be along shortly to offer this man a better job at a place where his selflessness with be appreciated.

[Bullwhip]

In the McDonalds in Baltimore they fired an employee for not stepping in to stop the beating.

No win depending on how the publicity goes.

[Dave2]

In the McDonalds in Baltimore they fired an employee for not stepping in to stop the beating.

No win depending on how the publicity goes.

No win regardless of the publicity. Companies' policies are self-contradictory. No matter how careful they've been, there are so many rules that some are bound to contradict each other, and the trend towards zero-tolerance policies ensures that you won't be able to defend your (in)actions.

[gigag04]

I know target doesn't play. Their people are trained in applying handcuffs and their video is state of the art. I love working cases there.

[E.Marquez]

I had an opportunity to speak with loss prevention at Best Buy in Killeen....The details are not important, but the end state was,, observe and report, no physical contact allowed, and even verbal interaction with the thief was frowned upon.

[Keith B]

Some stores have those that watch and those that can actually act. I know Walmart used to have their regular security staff that would apprehend.

I got a call to there one Saturday afternoon for a shoplifter. When I got there, the guy, about 20 years old, was sitting in the security room. When I asked for the rundown, they stated he had been spotted shoplifting about a couple of small items, and they followed him out of the store, and he took off running. Both the male and female security people took off after him and caught him in a wooded area about 1000 feet from the store. When they approached him, he pulled a pocket knife out and threatened them. He eventually let them talk him into giving them the knife and coming back to the store.

When I heard this, I went back in and cuffed him. He said 'Why are you making such a big deal over $5 in stuff?' "I told him they weren't pressing charges on the shoplifting since they got the stuff back from him. He said, 'Well why are you cuffing me?' I told him 'Well, you just let a misdemeanor shoplifting turn into a felony assault when you threatened them with the knife.'

[WildBill]

One of the frustrating things about the case was that it took a month after the incident for the company to finally fire the man. Also, the policy does not state that the person must be fired. They could have given him some other type of punishment and allow him to keep his job. By all accounts, he was a very good employee with no history of discipline problems.

[Bullwhip]

I know target doesn't play. Their people are trained in applying handcuffs and their video is state of the art. I love working cases there.

I know they can take shoplifters to the magistrate and anyone can arrest for a felony, but can private security handcuff someone for misdemeanor shoplifting? I never knew one way or the other.

[Medic624]

One of the frustrating things about the case was that it took a month after the incident for the company to finally fire the man. Also, the policy does not state that the person must be fired. They could have given him some other type of punishment and allow him to keep his job. By all accounts, he was a very good employee with no history of discipline problems.

One of the fundamental problems we have devolved to in this and many other countries around the world. We have let the loud minority of PC police run us into the ground where we don't know if we are coming or going. It started long before but became apparent in the 80s when politically correctness seriously took off into mainstream and idiotic opportunities like the I spilled my coffee and I DESERVE millions of dollars for not wanting to take personal responsibility for myself. This is simply one more ridiculous incident that simply made it to the news.

Anyone remember that elementary school kid who was suspended for riding his bicycle to school flying the American Flag from his bike... Unbelievable but true.

Why have laws to prosecute if you're NOT going to stop and punish the behavior. Eventually everyone loses.

Unfortunately for my children they're going to live a life of frustration because we have taught them to take responsibility for themselves and are reprimanded accordingly when they do not follow the rules... In these times it can ammount to a hinderance to be honest and GOD faring...

Ha ha ha May the Lord have mercy on our souls...ha ha