On shoplifting - no heroes wanted

The incident of the Whole Foods employee being fired after physically confronting a shoplifter draws some interesting responses.
First, the report from The Ann Arbor News:

John Schultz says he lost his job at Whole Foods Market in Ann Arbor after he tried to stop a shoplifter from making a getaway. But the company says he went too far and violated a policy that prohibits employees from physically touching a customer - even if that person is carrying a bag of stolen goods.

Schultz says he had just punched out for a break at 7 p.m. on Sunday when he heard a commotion at the front door of the store, 3135 Washtenaw Ave. He said he came to the aid of the manager who yelled for help in stopping a shoplifter. Schultz, the manager and another employee cornered the shoplifter between two cars in the parking lot.

Schultz said he told the shoplifter he was making a citizens arrest and to wait for the police to arrive, but the shoplifter broke away from the group and ran across Washtenaw Avenue and toward a gas station at the corner of Huron Parkway.

Before the man could cross Huron Parkway, Schultz caught up and grabbed the man's jacket and put his leg behind the man's legs. When the manager arrived at the intersection, Schultz said, the manager told him to release the shoplifter, and he complied, and the shoplifter got away.

Schultz said he was called to the store's office the next day, on Christmas Eve, and was fired because he violated a company policy prohibiting employees from having any physical contact with a customer.

Kate Klotz, a company spokesperson, said the policy is clear and listed in a booklet that all employees have to acknowledge that they received before they can start work.

"The fact that he touched him, period, is means for termination," said Klotz.

Schultz said he acted as a private citizen on property that isn't owned by Whole Foods, but Klotz said where the incident happened doesn't change the policy.

"He is still considered an employee of Whole Foods Market regardless of where he was and what was happening," she said.

TK: Over 50 comments were posted on this story. I'm with those who say firing the guy was the wrong thing to do. Here are a few comments from the crowd, posted to the Ann Arbor News story:

I didn't know shoplifters were customers either. I hope he sues them. Fired him on Christmas Eve! I hope he sues and wins!

Well lets see. according to the story, it implies that the "customer" was off of company property. How does that make him a customer anymore ? So because i have shopped there i am considered a customer, and none of their employees can physically touch me, regardless if i am on company property or not ? ala fark.com LAWSUITALARITY heading their way !

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"He said he came to the aid of the manager who yelled for help in stopping a shoplifter" It appears the manager himself was acting in a way to breach company policy and even worse conspiracy other employee's to help him. I say fire him too! Lets be real...You fire an employee of 5 years, on Christmas eve for coming to the aid of a store manager off of the store grounds when he's on this break? There is so much wrong with the actions of this company I do not know where to begin. Shame on you Whole Foods Market!

Whole Foods market is said to be coming to a town near me. Since the corporate policy wonks seem to lack the intelligence to distinguish between 'customers' and criminals; since their 'no contact' policy led to the firing of an employee who was only trying to help -- at the direction of the manager, no less -- I plan on having no contact with Whole Foods. Anyone care to join me and make it an official boycott?