Authorities in Missouri are reaching out to the public for help in identifying two individuals involved in an incident that was captured on video. The footage shows one of them attacking a Walgreens employee outside the store. This incident occurred last week on South Noland Road in the 3900 Block, according to a report from the Independence Police Department.
Based on official statements, the assault happened when an employee tried to intervene during a shoplifting incident. A video aired by Fox4 KC depicts the employee struggling with a female suspect just outside the store’s entrance. In the background of the video, another teenager can be heard shouting.
Throughout the altercation, the female assailant repeatedly struck the employee, who is described as a woman in her 60s. The situation reportedly began when the employee confronted an adult who was with the teenagers. The confrontation was about paying for a pair of sunglasses, and things escalated when the request was denied.
Despite being knocked down during the attack, the employee has since recovered and plans to press charges against the attackers. The Independence Police Department has released pictures of the suspects. One of them was wearing a white shirt and carrying a red purse, while the other had on a yellow shirt and blue jeans.
Walgreens did not immediately offer any comments about the incident in response to inquiries. However, this event underscores the larger issue of retail theft, prompting some Walgreens locations to adopt new approaches.
Earlier this year, a Walgreens store in Chicago redesigned its layout to limit customer access to only two product aisles. Most of the merchandise was placed behind staffed counters, and customers could browse and shop digitally using kiosks. This revamped shopping experience aimed to improve both customer and staff experiences, introducing innovative concepts and technologies.
This decision followed Walgreens Boots Alliance’s recognition that their concerns about retail theft might have been overstated in the past. The pharmacy chain had been reevaluating its security measures and reducing reliance on private security guards.
The Chief Financial Officer, James Kehoe, pointed out a decrease in shrinkage from 3.5% of sales to the mid-twos, indicating a positive trend in preventing retail theft.
As Walgreens continues to experiment with new strategies to tackle these challenges, incidents like the one in Missouri highlight the intricate issues that retailers face in ensuring safety and seamless customer experiences.