Shoplifter Walks Out of Middletown, New York Store, Employees Frustrated

A masked man filled up a "sack" of goods at a popular Middletown, New York sporting goods store and allegedly walked out the door leaving store employees frustrated with its "No Chase" policy.

Shoplifting at retail stores has been around for many years and has been a huge problem for many businesses but over the last few years it has become such a problem that many stores have changed the way we shop, with some even closing because of it.

Over the last year, we've shared news about how over the last few years stores like Target and the Home Depot have changed the way they allow customers to shop at various locations. Home Depot puts big-ticket items including power tools and expensive wires under lock and key so thieves can't access them. Target has eliminated self-checkout and has age restrictions at select New York locations. Rite Aid has even closed locations in New York due to retail theft.

Masked Shoplifter in Middletown, NY Walks Out With "Sack" of Goods

A Hudson Valley man recently reached out to us to share what he witnessed at the Dick's Sporting Goods store located at Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown, NY. He told us while he was shopping last weekend and getting ready to check out of the store he saw a man wearing a face mask and hoodie carrying what looked like a "Santa” sack filled with what appeared to be items from the store.

He went on to explain that the masked man continued to walk past the cashiers to the exit doors when one of the male workers tried to grab the bag to get him to stop but he pulled it back and walked out of the store. Wondering why they didn't stop the guy he asked the cashier and she said "This is so ridiculous, we aren’t allowed to do anything about it because Dick's has a no-chase policy." She went on to explain that the only people who are allowed to stop a shoplifter like this are store security or the police.

SEE ALSO: Pharmacy Closing 77 Stores Including 12 in New York

The male worker followed the masked man to his car and took down the make and model along with the license plate, which was then reported to the police. No word if the masked man has been apprehended or if the items have been returned but did you know that stores like Dick's have a policy like this?

No-Chase Policy at Retail Stores?

Many big-name retail stores do have a no-chase policy like the one mentioned above and from what I can gather it was put in place to protect store employees. Stores like Walmart, Target, and Dick's appear to have policies like this so that store employees don't get hurt trying to stop thieves. The situation explained above is exactly how stores want their employees to handle things so a job well done to the employees at the Middletown Dick's for doing the right thing! Stores encourage employees to gather as much information as possible in situations like this and report it as soon as possible to the local police.

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Did you know stores had a policy like this? Have you ever witnessed something like this before? Let us know through our station app above. We may use your information in an upcoming article.