Santino Burrola, an employee of King Soopers in Colorado, was fired after he recorded and posted a video of three men stealing approximately $500-worth of laundry detergent on Father's Day.
Why laundry detergent? I'm not sure. The fact that this was on Father's Day makes this even more disgraceful to these grown men.
"When I looked there was already a guy halfway headed out with a food cart full of laundry detergents and scent boosters and what have you," Burrola said. "I posted it on TikTok, hoping that somebody would recognize them."
As the car drove away, he recorded the license plate and later reported the incident to the the police. Using Burrola's video, police were able to identify the driver and arrested him.
"Investigators have already identified and arrested the driver, Jorge Pantoja, 32, the man in the green shirt," the Arapahoe Sherriff's Office said in a statement. "Pantoja is currently in custody at the Adams County Detention Facility on unrelated felony charges. He has also been charged with Theft/Shoplifting, a Class 2 Misdemeanor."
Burrola's efforts were appreciated by the police, but not his employers.
King Soopers, which is owned by the Kroger Company, has a policy "against employees chasing thieves or intervening in a theft," Burrola said.
"Did I feel that I overstepped boundaries? Not really because I didn't physically touch them or alter their shoplifting in any way, I just revealed the license plate to help the community to be aware, the police be aware, and to help better catch them,"
When he returned for his next shift, Burrola was informed he was suspended. A week later, he was fired.
"We are disappointed by the increased level of crime across retail establishments and the impact these incidents have on our associates and customers," King Soopers said in a statement. "We remain committed to working in partnership with local law enforcement to address this issue, as safety remains a top priority."
"We have security measures in place to help prevent crime and de-escalate such confrontations to minimize the risk to our associates. While we are unable to comment on personnel matters, we value our hardworking associates and their safe return home."
Say it with me everybody...
CLOWN WORLD!
