A suspect has been arrested after an alleged theft at an Allen Park vape shop left an employee with a broken hip. The employee, who was trying to stop the person accused of stealing, is recovering from his injuries.
The employee, identified only as Hassan, told wxyz.com that a man came into Vape Hut on Allen Road around 11:30 Thursday morning and asked to see Kratom pills before leaving without paying. Security video of the encounter is in Allen Park police’s hands, the report said.
Hassan said he ran after the man and caught up with his car. As the vehicle sped down an alley, the man held onto Hassan’s hand and would not let go, according to Hassan’s account to WXYZ. The car struck Hassan into a dumpster before the suspect got away.
Injuries Leave Worker Unable To Return To The Job
Hassan suffered a broken hip, along with cuts and bruises over much of his body, the station’s report states. He said he cannot work while recovering from his injuries.
Safety guidance for retail workers
The Los Angeles Police Department advises retailers not to physically stop or chase shoplifters. That guidance provides safety context, but does not establish what Hassan was instructed to do or how the incident should be judged.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, assaults and violent acts accounted for 51 percent of fatal work injuries in private retail trade from 2003 to 2008. The historical figure concerns fatal injuries; it does not measure shoplifting pursuits or nonfatal incidents like Hassan’s.
According to FOX 2 Detroit, a suspect has been arrested in connection with the case. Authorities have not released the suspect’s name or disclosed any potential charges.
Investigation Continues As Video Evidence Is Reviewed
The shop’s surveillance footage is in police hands, according to WXYZ’s report. The circumstances surrounding the encounter remain part of the investigation.
