Walmart fires employees who took down armed robber

On January 13, loss prevention officers in a Salt Lake City area Wal-Mart spotted a man stuffing a laptop computer into his jacket, when the shop lifter headed toward the front door, the workers stopped him and brought him into an office in the back of the store.

Once inside the office, the man, Trent Lofton, removed the laptop from his jacket, along with a handgun and rushed Gabe Stewart, one of the security officers.

Stewart was pushed up against a wall, while fellow employees Justin Richins and Shawn Ray were backed against a closed door.

Asset protection supervisor Lori Poulsen, then pulled the gun out of Lofton’s hand and her co-workers jumped on the man, restraining him until police arrived.

According to police in Layton, Utah, Lofton is a convicted felon with a long criminal past, and had several outstanding warrants at the time of the incident.

On Monday, Longton pleaded guilty to robbery, and the purchase, transfer, possession or use of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. He is scheduled for sentencing on March 28.

Sounds like a bad situation with the best possible outcome, right?

It would be if the Wal-Mart employees who stopped this dangerous criminal had not been fired.

A week later, all four workers were in fact fired because they disarmed and detained the suspect.

Wal-Mart policy states employees are able to use reasonable force when a suspect thief is physically struggling with them, but if a gun is drawn they must withdraw immediately.

However, it is difficult to see how the employees who were being held at gunpoint in a small room could have “withdrawn.” It would seem that the workers were simply fighting for their own lives and in doing so, potentially saved other employees and customers alike from grave harm.

Under growing criticism, Wal-Mart issued the following statement: “We appreciate the intentions demonstrated by our associates in this situation, but the actions taken put their safety, and potentially the safety of our customers and other associates in jeopardy.”

This is not the first time Wal-Mart has fired an employee for apprehending a dangerous criminal.

In October 2009, Josh Rutner was performing his duties as an asset protection officer in an Ocala, FL Wal-Mart, when he observed a man stuffing merchandise into his pants. Rutner followed the suspect, Marc Ash, outside where he and another employee tackled the alleged shoplifter.

Just as had happened many times before, the shoplifter went down, and the merchandise in this case, a $42 box of golf balls, was recovered. However, unlike before, this suspect came back up wielding a knife.

Ash tried to slash Rutner in the face, and took off running across the parking lot. Rutner gave chase.

Rutner told the Star Banner: “I felt now that he was a danger to the public and the city. If he'd pull a knife on two security guards, he'd pull a knife on anyone.”

A customer witnessed the scene as it unfolded and assisted Rutner in the chase. Ash dropped the knife and was arrested and charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault.

The next day, Wal-Mart fired Rutner for his actions.

Rutner reported: “They said this is a non-rehirable offense. At the age of 65, I can't even come back and become a greeter.”

Rutner admitted he understood Wal-Mart’s policy against chasing after armed suspects, but says the risk to customers and the public compelled him to act.

 

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