Dick’s loss prevention agent terminated for assaulting a man allegedly shoplifting
Toledo OH July 4 2020
A Dick’s Sporting Goods loss prevention employee was fired from his job, according to a company statement Friday, after being arrested, though not charged by police for assaulting a man who was suspected of shoplifting food items.
A video posted to Facebook Thursday showed the loss prevention employee, whose name has not been released by police, pinning Aaron Buckenmeyer, 36, to the ground and punching him several times in the face.
According to the Toledo Police report, Mr. Buckenmeyer had grabbed several items near the cash register at the Franklin Park Mall location and placed them in a blue Aeropostale bag when he was confronted by the security employee, he stated to police.
The loss prevention employee, 50, stated that Mr. Buckenmeyer headbutted him in the face, which led him to then throw Mr. Buckenmeyer to the ground. The video does not appear to show Mr. Buckenmeyer headbutting the security employee, but the employee can be seen punching Mr. Buckenmeyer several times in the face after taking him to the ground.
Throughout the physical struggle, a few employees can be seen attempting to intercede in the altercation, while another employee asks onlookers to stay back.
In the video, Mr. Buckenmeyer says multiple times, “I can’t breathe.” Several onlookers call for the altercation to be broken up and reported. At one point, an onlooker says, “He has asthma.” Another says, “He’s turning purple.”
The loss prevention employee told police that Mr. Buckenmeyer grabbed his genitals several times during the altercation.
After the security employee moves away, Mr. Buckenmeyer says, “I did not steal nothing … I did not go past the point of sale. I know the law.” Mr. Buckenmeyer then stands and is guided away while the security guard picks up debris scattered during the altercation.
Officers responded around 2 p.m. and detained Mr. Buckenmeyer in handcuffs. A witness provided cell phone video footage of the incident and the responding officers then viewed the video.
The Toledo Fire Department responded to treat Mr. Buckenmeyer for his injuries, which included a bloody nose and a bloody bottom lip. He additionally complained of head trauma and a possible concussion. He was taken by ambulance to Toledo Hospital for treatment.
The loss prevention employee was then also detained in handcuffs and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle. He was taken to the Toledo Police Safety Building where he was not charged and was later released, according to the police report.
The police report states that the investigation is continuing.
“We are deeply disturbed, embarrassed, and disgusted by this incident, and we apologize,” said a spokesperson for Dick’s Sporting Goods. “Violence of any kind is completely unacceptable and goes against everything we stand for. The safety of our customers and employees is our top priority. The behavior of our employee was reprehensible, and he has been terminated.”
The spokesman also stated that the company is “extremely disappointed” that the other employees did not do more to intercede and end the altercation. They also said they were “cooperating fully” with authorities.
