Man Claims He Was Fired From Best Buy For Wrestling Bag From Shoplifter

Updated September 8, 2021

For the most part, we expect that we can't go wrong by going above and beyond what's expected of us at our jobs.

Whether we see any reward for our drive or our clever ideas, there's at least an understanding that our bosses will look upon us favorably after we make things easier for them. Of course, there's another school of thought that doing this just ensures that we get extra duties whether we want them or not so it's best to just stick to what's specifically considered "your job" and nothing more.

But while some may balk at this kind of work ethic, one Best Buy worker may have recently learned that in some situations, it's the best way to make sure you stay employed.

On July 13, TikTok user @freddya1358 uploaded a video in which he confronted a shoplifter while working Best Buy's "asset protection" desk.

TikTok | @freddya1358

Soon after he gets up to talk to the man, this person tries to push past him, which leads him to believe that there's some merchandise in the man's backpack.

As you'll see in the full video, this compels the employee to grab his bag and while the man struggles, the worker keeps a firm grip on it.

TikTok | @freddya1358

The suspect tries to run out the door, but is held back by the employee, who manages to pull the bag from his shoulder.

At this point, the two engage in a kind of tug-o-war for the backpack.

Eventually, the employee wins and manages to keep the bag while the suspect eventually gives up and runs away when other people show up.

TikTok | @freddya1358

But while the employee won the battle, it seems he lost the war as he is now claiming that he was fired over this incident.

As he wrote, "Got fired for stopping this guy, he called corporate said I didn’t social distance lol. Not even mad."

But while that may seem like an unfair consequence to some, former Best Buy employees turned up in his comments to tell him that's exactly the result he should have expected.

As one of them said, "When doing asset protection, they specifically instruct you to not touch/physically stop people from stealing. Your fault."

And another person who had done a similar job filled us in as to why, saying, "The dude is actually wrong. You're not supposed to touch them. Now the company is liable if you get shot or stabbed."

Even if this weren't the case, others seemed to believe that it still wouldn't be worth it to intervene in cases like this.

As one commenter put it, "They don't pay you enough to do more. Do just enough not to get fired."

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