Before you accuse someone of stealing merchandise from your store,
you should be 100% sure that you are accusing the right person. My
daughter, and I went to Gastonia to pay a bill at an establishment next
door to the Athletic Warehouse in Gastonia. As my daughter exited the
car a white female standing outside of the Athletic Warehouse smoking
a cigarette began watching her. My daughter proceeded to go into the
store next door. While inside the store, a black male, an employee from
the Athletic Warehouse began harassing my daughter stating that his
manager said that she needed to come next door and pay the $31.95 for
the shoes she has on that she stole out of her store on Tuesday night.
Mind you, my daughter is another place of business, where other
customers are, being accused of stealing shoes. My daughter thought
he was joking with her. After standing outside of the establishment
still conversing with the black male about the shoes, my daughter came
to the car, and told me what was going on. I immediately got out of the
car, and went inside the Athletic Warehouse to confront this person
accusing my child of stealing. I asked her to see proof that it was my
child since she was so sure, even though I knew she didn't have proof,
because my daughter does not go anywhere with anyone but me, or her
Grandmother, and neither of us were in Gastonia on Tuesday. I asked
the manager who my daughter was with, she stated a guy and a girl,
and she stole a two tone pair of brown sneakers out of the store. I
asked to see the video tape since she was so sure it was my child, and
she so openly accused her, she stated they don't have video
surveillance , even though there is a big sign inside the store that says
they have 24 video surveillance. I asked her how was she so sure it
was my child, without any proof. I told her that without any proof, she
better not ever accuse my child of stealing anything else. True, my
daughter had been in that establishment one time, a week prior to this
incident, with me and her sisters, and she did PURCHASE a pair of
black and white sneakers (Reebok's), for which she still has the receipt
for, but she has never ever in her life stolen anything from anybody. My
daughter is employed in the retail field, and her sister, and I are also
employed and have no reason to steal anything. That's what we work
for, to be able to buy the things we want. I even invited Ms. Lee to call
the police while we were there in the store if she was so sure it was
my child, and she declined. But after I went home, I did call the police
myself to see if anything could be done for her harassing my daughter.
The Seargent of the Gastonia Police Dept returned my call, and clearly
stated that if she couldn't prove it don't worry about it. Also he said no
reports were filed on that Tuesday night about anyone stealing any
shoes from the Athletic Warehouse. I am now in the process of filing
a complaint with the owner of the Athletic Warehouse. I think she
should be reprimanded for her actions, and also made to apologize to
my child. She was lucky this time, because next time the person she
accuses may not be as nice as I was, and just let her off with a verbal
assault, next time it may get physical. I will never purchase anything
else from Athletic Warehouse, and I have spoken with my friends, and
they have agreed upon the same.
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