store employee fired after chasing thief

A Texas man was fired from his job at a Randalls grocery store after chasing down a purse thief, the Austin American-Statesman (statesman.com) said.

Troy Schafer, 36, of Bee Cave, had just come into the store from a break when he heard customer Ann Welch, 52, call for help. Someone dashed past Welch, taking her purse before exiting the store.

A customer called police while Schafer chased the suspect and collected the purse, which had been dropped in a field. Schafer told the American-Statesman that Welch's purse was recovered, along with all of her money. The police arrested a 15-year-old suspect.

A few days after the episode, Schafer was fired. Randalls spokeswoman Connie Yates told the American-Statesman that as a Randalls employee, Schafer had been trained not to pursue suspects. Employees are supposed to get as much information as possible to give police.

"I still feel like I did the right thing. I couldn't look myself in the mirror the next day if I didn't help that lady," Schafer said. —


Blair Brettschneider usatoday


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