A Colorado grocery store employee lost his job after he recorded a theft of around $500 in laundry detergent, a video that went viral after it was posted to social media where it was shared by rapper Snoop Dogg but by doing so, he violated the company’s policy on interfering with shoplifters and was fired.
It was just another day at work for Santino Burrola who, during his Father’s Day shift at a King Soopers supermarket in Arapahoe County, was alerted of a theft in progress. The former military police officer reacted by pulling out his smartphone to record the crime.
“Sure enough when I looked there was a guy already half-headed out with a cart full of laundry detergent scent boosters what have you,” Burrola told CBS Colorado. “My first instinct was to record.”
Burrola’s video captured the trio of crooks as they wheeled the shopping cart of the store and began loading the stolen goods into a black Chevy Trax with him asking “Really bro? You gotta resort to this? The economy’s not that bad,” as they packed up the vehicle and made their getaway, but not before he was able to peel away the sheet of foil that the thieves had used to cover up the license plate.
(Video: The Daily Mail)
“I just recorded said what I said and got so close to where I was able to rip the tinfoil off the license plate,” Burrola said, sharing the video of the incident to social media to assist police in apprehending the perps.
“So I posted it on TikTok hoping that somebody would recognize them,” he said, telling the outlet that after it was posted by Snoop Dogg, “I was like what? No way!”
But as the old saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished and when Burrola reported to work for this next shift he learned that he was in big trouble for violating a company policy about intervening during a theft, being informed by management that he was suspended for a week before he was later terminated.
“I and the union rep sat down with them and they recommended termination and so I got fired that day,” Burrola said. “All I did was just record criminals and reveal them!”
He said that he did not act improperly or lay a hand on the thieves and had recorded the act in order to help the community.
“Did I feel that I overstepped boundaries? Not really because I didn’t physically touch them or alter their shoplifting in any way, I just revealed the license plate to help the community to be aware, the police be aware and to help better catch them,” he told Denver NBC affiliate 9 News.
(Video: YouTube/9News)
“We are disappointed by the increased level of crime across retail establishments and the impact these incidents have on our associates and customers. We remain committed to working in partnership with local law enforcement to address this issue, as safety remains a top priority,” King Soopers said in a statement to CBS Colorado. “We have security measures in place to help prevent crime and de-escalate such confrontations to minimize the risk to our associates. While we are unable to comment on personnel matters, we value our hardworking associates and their safe return home.”
“Investigators have already identified and arrested the driver, Jorge Pantoja, 32, the man in the green shirt,” the Arapahoe Sherriff’s Office said in a statement that one of the three thieves was arrested. “Pantoja is currently in custody at the Adams County Detention Facility on unrelated felony charges. He has also been charged with Theft/Shoplifting, a Class 2 Misdemeanor.”
Burrola’s cousin has set up a GoFundMe page to assist in recovering his lost wages.
“As a former military police officer he did what he thought was right in order capture criminals. So far one arrest has been made out of the three criminals and the authorities are still searching for the other two individuals.” wrote Alexia Gomez. “He was not given severance pay and was planning to move to Florida to be closer to family. This loss of position has put a hold on plans and has made him fall behind in a couple bills. These donations will help alleviate lost wages as well as help him in his move to Florida. Hopefully companies there can appreciate his good act.”
On Twitter, social media users were incensed by the store’s handling of the situation:
King Soopers in Colorado hope you have to close your doors because of your ignorance in firing a employee who was actually trying to help your sorry asses from being ripped off..he deserves better bosses and you deserve going outta business
— Proud American (@Hebron4824) July 6, 2023
An employee at King Soopers grocery in Arapahoe County, Colorado was fired after he filmed shoplifters stealing over $500 worth of detergent.
You can’t make this crap up. The man needs a reward for catching criminals on tape. Let’s get back to those days already!
— Kambree (@KamVTV) July 5, 2023
@kroger
You are the problem when you fire employees for trying to shoplift & pass the losses on to your honest customers
When I lived in Colorado King Soopers was where I did 80% of my shopping
Luckily- I live in OKC & only you’re delivery service is an option- I won’t use https://t.co/RIozG9xGLV— Jeff Lasky (@JeffreyLasky3) July 3, 2023
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