Charlotte Food Lion Employee Attacked After Confronting Suspected Shoplifters, Police Seek Two Suspects

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – Police are investigating after a Food Lion employee was violently attacked while trying to stop two suspected shoplifters at a grocery store off Park Road earlier this month.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the incident occurred on Monday, October 20, inside the Food Lion located in the 2200 block of Park Road.

Authorities said two individuals were seen in the store’s self-checkout area attempting to steal items when an 18-year-old employee confronted them.

Confrontation Escalates to Violence

Detective Ashley Phillips said surveillance footage captured the confrontation as one suspect went face-to-face with the employee and forced him into a back room, where the situation turned violent.

Video from another angle showed one of the suspects physically attacking the worker while another shopper attempted to intervene.

“It’s unfortunate. Any act of violence is senseless,” said Detective Phillips. “When we have self-checkouts, it just presents an opportunity for people who are not doing the right thing — thieves — to take items and commit crimes.”

After the assault, police say the two suspects fled the store with stolen merchandise.

Police Urge Caution for Store Employees

Detective Phillips reminded retail employees to avoid direct confrontation with suspects during theft incidents.

“We want to suggest to everyone working in a store — just step back, observe, collect as much information as you can, and call 911,” she said. “That way, police can respond, and you don’t have to interfere with someone committing a crime.”

CMPD investigators believe the suspects may be recognizable from the store’s high-quality surveillance footage, which shows both individuals clearly.

Search for Suspects Underway

Police have not yet released the names of the suspects but are urging the public to help identify them.

“The images are very clear,” Phillips added. “I’m hopeful someone will see them and call it in. We get good tips from the community, and I’m grateful for that.”

Anyone with information about the assault or the suspects’ identities is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or submit a tip anonymously through the P3 Tips app. Tipsters could be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.

Stay with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for updates as police continue investigating this violent retail theft incident.