Two managers at a Big Lots store in Bakersfield, California, were fired after they chased down a thief who had stolen a haul of laundry detergent. Lily Oxford, who managed the store’s furniture department, and her colleague were trying to retrieve a shopping cart that a homeless man had left outside the store after taking 17 jugs of Tide pods without paying.
Oxford said that they were trying to maintain their dwindling supply of carts when the alleged shoplifter took one, and they had to chase him down to get it back. When they caught up with him, he was loading the stolen detergent into his car. The managers began recording the incident on their phones, and a small crowd of onlookers gathered to cheer them on.
Despite successfully recovering both the cart and the stolen merchandise, Oxford and her coworker were subsequently fired. Oxford, who is a single mother of two teenagers, has filed for unemployment as she struggles to pay rent.
The story has caused outrage, with many people expressing their support for the fired managers. Some have even started a GoFundMe campaign to help Oxford and her family during this difficult time.
The incident has also raised questions about the rights of employees to recover stolen merchandise and the potential risks that employers face if employees are injured on the job. While there are laws in place to protect workers, employers must be careful to ensure that they are not held liable for any damages that may occur.
Overall, this story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, standing up for what is right is always the best course of action.
