Lowe’s worker axed after trying to stop shoplifters gets her job back
A Georgia Lowe’s employee who was fired from the hardware store after she tried to stop shoplifters — who punched her in the face — got her job back Monday.
Donna Hansbrough was reinstated at the Rincon Lowe’s store following the incident that left her with a black eye, according to a local report.
“After senior management became aware of the incident and spoke to Donna Hansbrough today, we are reinstating her job and we are pleased that she has accepted the offer to return to Lowe’s,” a Lowe’s corporate spokesperson said in a statement to the Effingham Herald.
The 68-year-old longtime staffer reportedly violated company policy by trying to stop the trio of alleged thieves from making off with $2,1000 worth of merchandise.
Hansbrough grabbed onto a cart with the stolen products after the three left the store without paying and one of them, identified by cops as Takyah Berry, allegedly punched her in the face three times.
Donna Hansbrough, 68, suffered a black eye after one of the alleged shoplifters slugged in the face. Facebook/Rincon Police Department
“They say that if you see somebody stealing something out the door, not to pursue, not to go out. I lost it,” Hansbrough told the Herald. “I grabbed the cart. I don’t actually remember going out but I did. And I grabbed the cart that had the stolen items in [it].”
The 13-year veteran employee was then fired while Berry, her uncle Joseph Berry and Jarmar Lawton walked out with the stolen products.
“I just got tired of seeing things get out the door. I just, I lost it. I basically lost all the training. Everything they tell you to do, I just…I just lost it,” she said.
Takyah Berry punched Hansbrough three times in the face, causing her eye to swell, according to authorities. Facebook/Rincon Police Department Joseph Berry and two others stole $2,101 worth of merchandise, police said. Facebook/Rincon Police Department Jarmar Lawton was also involved in the Rincon Lowe’s robbery, cops said. Facebook/Rincon Police Department
Lowe’s said that it is working with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the theft “and violent attack.”
“First and foremost, there’s nothing more important than the safety of our customers and associates,” the company spokesperson said. “Products can be replaced; people cannot.”
Source: New York Post
