Best Buy Stands By Its Shoplifters

Posted by: Tristan

Jared Bergstreser, 20, and Colin Trapp, 23, were working their way through college at the Broomfield, Colorado Best Buy, at least until they violated the company’s “Please Steal Our Stuff” policy by tackling a shoplifter.

“A gentleman came by us in a red shirt with a bunch of product in his hand. It was pretty obvious that he hadn’t paid for it yet,” Trapp said.

“I just kind of reacted. I wasn’t thinking about it and followed the guy out the front door and tackled him,” Bergstreser said.

The thief pulled a knife, broke free, cut the store manager and then jumped into a car with an accomplice and escaped.  No arrests have been made.

Best Buy spokeswoman Kelly Groehler said that the company doesn’t discuss the termination of any employee, but she did elaborate on Best Buy’s “Please Steal Our Stuff” policy.

Groehler did say, “…that employees who work in our stores are aware, and trained, on the standard operating procedures for dealing with shoplifting or theft — which includes ceasing pursuit of a suspected shoplifter once they exit the store.”

That’s right.  There’s a window of about 10 feet between when it’s apparent that someone is taking stuff out of the store without paying for it and when the company will let them escape unhindered.

Groehler said the procedures are in place foremost for the safety of employees.

Well, if Best Buy really wanted to increase the safety of their employees they could just stop selling stuff that criminals want.  Alternatively, they could just pay their employees to stay home, while they leave their doors open and let people grab whatever they want and take it.

Local police say that whenever you see a theft in progress, whether it’s at a bank, a store or your own personal property, you shouldn’t try to be a hero. They say you should be the best witness you can be, get as much information as you can and call police promptly.

Local police also give a “Most Observant Sheep” award to the the victim who can best describe how they were preyed on by criminals. The Department also awards murder victims the “Lambs To The Slaughter” medal, posthumously of course.  Actually no, we made both those awards up.

For those criminals out there who might be reading this: If you shoplift from Best Buy in the future and an employee tries to stop you, be afraid.  This maniac doesn’t care about anything, including their job.  They probably have a death wish.

But don’t let Best Buy’s corporate headquarters down.  They’ve already established that they’re on your side.  If you can’t steal with corporate support, what kind of criminal are you?

If you want to let Best Buy know what you think of their policy of supporting shoplifting, feel free to contact them here.