Additional Coverage:
- Supermarket worker fired after saving guard and tackling ‘aggressive champagne thief’ (themirror.com)
A longtime employee at a Sainsbury’s store in West Wickham, London, has been dismissed following an incident involving a suspected shoplifter, just hours after he helped save a colleague’s life.
Gary MacArthur, who had dedicated 15 years to working at the supermarket, was terminated in March for gross misconduct after confronting a suspected thief who was allegedly stealing high-end Champagne brands such as Moët, Bollinger, and Veuve Clicquot. The company stated that MacArthur’s actions breached store protocol during the incident.
Earlier that day, MacArthur had stayed late to assist after a security guard suffered a stroke on duty. He and a colleague administered CPR until paramedics arrived, managing the medical emergency before the guard was taken to hospital.
Later that evening, as MacArthur was finishing his extended shift, staff alerted him to a theft in progress involving expensive bottles of Champagne. He confronted and physically removed the suspect from the premises.
After finding a hidden bag of stolen bottles nearby and returning them to the stockroom, the suspect reentered the store and began breaking bottles. MacArthur, along with another shopper, restrained the individual until police arrived.
Despite his efforts, MacArthur was dismissed three months later. His appeal was denied in April. Sainsbury’s argued that physically removing the suspect escalated the situation rather than diffused it.
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s emphasized the increasing challenges of violence, aggression, and theft in stores. They highlighted the company’s commitment to investing in additional security measures and working with law enforcement, prioritizing the safety of colleagues and customers. The spokesperson reiterated that staff are instructed to avoid direct confrontations and follow guidelines designed to prevent incidents from escalating.