CVS manager chokes shoplifter...to death...

[beth119]

Shoplifter Dies From Worker's Chokehold, Cops Say There Won't Be Charges

No charges??? Hmmm....

Not sure that I agree with that...

[manders13]

why? dude was shop lifting. No different then a cop tasering a dude for shop lifting and the dude dieing.

[ladyspl]

Though I don't approve of shoplifting. You gotta wonder what was going through this mans mind. He wasn't stealing drugs or high valued items. He went for TOOTHPASTE and CRAYONS! It breaks my heart thinking he was out of work and probably desperate. It could happen to ANY of us. Thou we say we would never ever steal, guess what? I'm sure he didn't either. He sure as heck didn't deserve to die over it. The store manager will forever carry around the guilt of killing a man over what equivocates to $2. I'm sorry for both families. Just makes you want to cry.

[manders13]

I thought cvs employees were NOT allowed to go after shop lifters??

i had a post about a year (maybe longer ago) about me, personally catchin someone shop lifting. I got the manager over, showed her, and all she could do was call 911. (which i did)


Hmmm... Wonder if that goes state by state??

Weird!


PP, i do agree that it IS sad, especially over toothpaste and crayons. But as i was told tonight "stealing is just as bad as murder" Theft is Theft. Would you feel bad if it was over percocet and oxycotin?

[dliver316]

Man...that is sad. I have always thought just let them take it and call the cops.

[CW&M Mom]

shoplifting does not equate a need for lethal force. IMO the man should face something.

[CW&M Mom]

why? dude was shop lifting. No different then a cop tasering a dude for shop lifting and the dude dieing.

except the cop...is a cop and can use deadly force...the CVS employee is just like you and me and can't kill a guy over toothpaste...and if the cop killed a dude over toothpaste he may very well lose his job at least.

[momof2inohio]

shoplifting does not equate a need for lethal force. IMO the man should face something.

I agree! How sad.

[zoeys_mom]

PP, i do agree that it IS sad, especially over toothpaste and crayons. But as i was told tonight "stealing is just as bad as murder" Theft is Theft. Would you feel bad if it was over percocet and oxycotin?

WOW! I thought death row was crowded her in Tx as it is, but using that logic, we would have a lot more folks hanging out on death row if stealing = murder

Though I think stealing is wrong, I don't think stealing and murder should be ranked the same and last I checked, neither did the law books

[$Saving!]

I read the Huffington post coverage and it was missing a lot of information which is too typical of media coverage, went to local Chicago news and found the following:

Surveillance video and witness accounts helped police piece together what happened in the 2600 block of South Pulaski Road.


According to the law enforcement source, the manager and Kyser wrestled in the alley as others stepped in to help subdue the suspect.


An off-duty Cook County sheriff's correctional officer happened to be on the scene and assisted the CVS employee by calling 911, said Chicago police Lt. Maureen Biggane, a police spokeswoman. The officer also told the suspect to stop struggling and relax, according to the law enforcement source. When police arrived, Kyser was unresponsive, Biggane said.
Authorities denied reports that the correctional officer drew a gun at the scene. Biggane said the police have reviewed surveillance tapes and "at no time is the officer seen pointing a weapon in anyone's direction."


The store manager, reached by the Tribune at his west suburban home, declined to comment.


CVS' DeAngelis refused to discuss company policy regarding employee handling of suspected shoplifters and if the store manager violated those guidelines.


Kyser had convictions for drugs and burglary, according to court records.
But Balboa, who divorced Kyser in September, said her husband of 5½ years had a good heart and was a dedicated stepfather who taught her three sons to be respectful.


After an hour of searching in the alley, she laid a small bouquet of red flowers and two balloons against a door near where she believed he died.
She was furious over the decision not to pursue charges against the store manager.



"How's it accidental?" Balboa said. "You're choking the (expletive) out of somebody. He should be fired. He should be facing criminal charges. You don't take someone's life over toothpaste."

So, this guy had a history of theft, and drug violations. And according to video, he wouldn't stop struggling.

Changes the view for me some. He seems to think what he can steal is ok, at least his criminal history seems to paint that story.

And the fact that the video supports what the manager obviously told police, I'd say that honest people are reaching a point where they will defend what's right, even if their actions go awry.

As we all teach our kids, actions have consequences, they always do.

I'm sure that manager will regret what happened the rest of his life and struggle with what happened.

I'm curious though, how often this store has been robbed or people have stolen from it. Everyone reaches a saturation point, perhaps the mgr reached his that day.