A man is in hospital and a Save-On Foods security guard is under investigation after a suspected shoplifter was believed to have been injured while being confronted.
At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, RCMP received a Shoplifter sent to hospital by grocery store securityGuard under investigation call regarding the apprehension of the man, who had allegedly attempted to flee the downtown grocery store with merchandise. Unconfirmed reports state that Save-On loss prevention officers (LPO) tackled the alleged thief, breaking his neck.
An RCMP report states that the man went into a seizure once in custody.
"Member attended [the] store and [a] 24-year-old male who was in custody went into a seizure and was transported to Squamish Hospital by ambulance and later to Lions Gate Hospital for treatment of injuries he apparently sustained during his arrest by LPOs," states the RCMP report.
Sgt. Cheryl Armstrong said the RCMP is looking into reports that the man's neck was broken. An investigation into the theft and into excessive force is on going.
An assistant to Save-On-Foods spokesperson Julie Dickson said the store does not comment on specific security matters. "But we can say that the safety and the security of the customers and team members is always our highest priority," she said.
