Academy Sports manager fired after tackling gun theft suspect

[HCM]

Academy Sports manager fired after tackling gun theft suspect

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/07/11/academy-sports-manager-fired-after-stopping-gun-theft-suspect/772900002/


The manager of Tallahassee’s Academy Sports was fired Tuesday after tackling a suspect accused of stealing a handgun late last month. The suspect also allegedly threatened to shoot people.

Dean Crouch, 32, was the store manager who stopped Jason White from leaving the Mahan Drive store with a .40-caliber pistol from the firearms counter on June 29.

“Academy has decided to, instead of treating him like the hero he is, they terminated his employment effective immediately because he put his hands on Mr. White,” Crouch's attorney Ryan Hobbs said.

Just hours before he was taken into custody, White stole two handguns from Cash America Pawn on South Adams Street, according to Tallahassee Police.

White asked to look at the handgun at the firearms counter. He was handed the gun, then ran toward the front door.

Crouch, who court records say observed the transaction at the counter, and another employee tackled and subdued White at the exit doors and recovered the gun, a stolen backpack, five boxes of ammunition and two magazines for the Glock.

[RevolverRob]

Unsurprising.

When I worked in stores for Academy the policies regarding theft were very clear, if you observed it, you contacted Loss Prevention and noted the time, date, and ideally a description of the suspect - but if you called the police or confronted a thief you would be terminated the following day.

In my time, I had two managers fired for confronting thieves and I had to fire two associates for confronting a thief. I didn't want to do it, but it was a strict corporate policy that now extends back decades.

When I got to the corporate side of the house, I basically saw why. Confronting thieves hurts you more on the financial side of the house, because they often file lawsuits that corporate settles, rather than litigates. If Loss Prevention handles it, they usually work with local law enforcement to gather evidence of the severe offenders and then setup stings to catch them in the act, nailing them in airtight cases (compared to an employee tackling someone).

In terms of the numerical losses of merchandise stolen, it was a drop in the bucket compared to the profit we brought in. It's no coincidence that what 6 or so years ago, a private investment firm run by former Wal-Mart execs bought about half of Academy to the tune of a billion bucks. In my time with them, we had double-digit growth annually - during a down economy. Of course the Wal-Mart folks just drove the friendly company and corporate atmosphere right out of the building, that sucked, and they simply aren't the same company they were even 10-years ago.

[wvincent]

Unsurprising.

When I worked in stores for Academy the policies regarding theft were very clear, if you observed it, you contacted Loss Prevention and noted the time, date, and ideally a description of the suspect - but if you called the police or confronted a thief you would be terminated the following day.

In my time, I had two managers fired for confronting thieves and I had to fire two associates for confronting a thief. I didn't want to do it, but it was a strict corporate policy that now extends back decades.

When I got to the corporate side of the house, I basically saw why. Confronting thieves hurts you more on the financial side of the house, because they often file lawsuits that corporate settles, rather than litigates. If Loss Prevention handles it, they usually work with local law enforcement to gather evidence of the severe offenders and then setup stings to catch them in the act, nailing them in airtight cases (compared to an employee tackling someone).

In terms of the numerical losses of merchandise stolen, it was a drop in the bucket compared to the profit we brought in. It's no coincidence that what 6 or so years ago, a private investment firm run by former Wal-Mart execs bought about half of Academy to the tune of a billion bucks. In my time with them, we had double-digit growth annually - during a down economy. Of course the Wal-Mart folks just drove the friendly company and corporate atmosphere right out of the building, that sucked, and they simply aren't the same company they were even 10-years ago.

Great explanation from the inside looking out. It's a business after all, and the numbers are what really count at the end of the quarter.
BUT, keeping firearms out of the hands of people who surely should't have them counts for a lot, at least to me.
I'm not thinking Mr. White was stealing those handguns that day so he could work on his Marksmanship Merit Badge.
I'm willing to venture that if we polled the local LE, we would find that Mr. White was a frequent flyer, so f**k him. Too bad he didn't lose a few teeth on the way down, would surely improve that sh*t eating grin of his.
But, then I'm sure the civil suit would quickly be filed for the young lad.

[GJM]

I assumed he was fired for violating a different corporate policy — get rid of all .40 pistols ASAP. The mistake the manager made was confusing the theft of a .40 with a 9 or 45.

[StraitR]

Stay out of big box stores ran by hippies and their ultra-PC, anti-employee corporate policies, MAGA.

[Bigghoss]

I can understand telling employees not to stop theives if they steal a jacket or something like that. But when its a fucking gun, that's another story. Academy can pound sand.

[Jared]

I can understand telling employees not to stop theives if they steal a jacket or something like that. But when its a fucking gun, that's another story. Academy can pound sand.

My thoughts exactly. RevolverRob gave a pretty good explanation of corporate policy, which is actually a decent policy if the stolen item is something benign. A stolen pistol is not so friggin benign though

[mmc45414]

I can understand telling employees not to stop theives if they steal a jacket or something like that. But when its a fucking gun, that's another story.

A stolen pistol is not so friggin benign though
Wonder if there are federal stipulations in the FFL regarding safeguarding inventory and not letting somebody walk out the door prior to 4473/NICS?

ETA: Not like the dirtbags all read the news, but will word spread that all ya gotta do is go to Academy and they will hand you a gun without paying and let you go on your way without that pesky background check people are so enamored of?...

[CWM11B]

I can somewhat understand not confronting the thief, as years ago an LP guy at a super Kmart here was murdered by one, who went on to shoot two of my colleagues (non fatally) moments later (they happened to be report writing in the parking lot).
Having to call LP before contacting the police, however, is ludicrous. It only delays response. Not real concerned if dude is trucking out the door with a Yeti, but a pistol? An Academy just opened in my town. Aside from the fact it is in a saturated market, and whoever gave the permit clearly didn't consult with traffic engineers on ingress/egress issues, I had no real opinion of the place. I went in and checked it out. Came away underwhelmed, and wont be back.
I am of the opinion this hands off thieves bullshit only encourages them. Years ago, Walmart (another place I avoid like the plague) would file charges if you stole a pack of gum. We had very few issues. Then some corporate ninny changed the policy and made it public. From then on they became a five finger discount destination. I'll stick to my LGS and online shopping for my shooting needs. For other sundry items, I do my best to use anything other than the big box entities. Maybe I'm becoming a curmudgeon, but I have come to loathe those places.

[Poconnor]

The township I policed was the local go to shopping place for decades. Retail theft was our bread and butter and we only took the misdemeanors and felonies. I hated the stores that would just let them steal. It encouraged the thieves. . The amount of petty theft / retail theft is amazing. The Home Depot was losing one million dollars a year. From one store. That a corporation this size would have these policies is telling. If they hired loss prevention, told the lawyers do your job, and stopped settlements; we all would be better off. They need to hold this manager up as a hero. He violated policy but did the right thing.

[Chance]

Encouraging employees to stop thieves is like telling a CHL holder his permit is essentially a badge. I'm glad it worked out well for this guy, but Academy giving him a pass would be a tacit endorsement, and those who follow suit may not have the same skill, judgement, or luck.

[OlongJohnson]

At some of the Academy stores around here, it's prevalent to see Dindoo at the counter with his "girlfriend" telling her to pick out any gun she wants.

[NH Shooter]

An asinine policy like this only exists because those caught in felonious acts can sue claiming victimhood.

I guess we should all give up CCW because the assailant might get hurt and sue us.

[Hambo]

It's outrage porn. A store manager certainly knows it's immediate termination to stop a shoplifter whether they have a $2 fishing lure or a pistol. Call the tune, pay the fiddler. If Academy, and HD, Lowes, Walmart, and every other big retail chain gives zero fucks about how my they lose to shoplifting, they give about the same number for those who rage quit shopping over this.

[CWM11B]

Pretty much. My beef (while still working) was if you arent going to prosecute, why should we waste resources responding to write a report? Have LP write the report of loss and then your accountants deal with it. I could care less what their policies are. And just like Cabela's, Bass Pro, Gander, etc. I go elsewhere because they are overpriced, have crappy CS, and staff who have no clue about the products they sell. Same with the appliance guys.

[Peally]

It is easier and cheaper to let people steal things in many businesses.

We live in a very stupid time.

[OlongJohnson]

And just like Cabela's, Bass Pro, Gander, etc. I go elsewhere because they are overpriced, have crappy CS, and staff who have no clue about the products they sell.

Academy was my reference on pricing for the Gander Mountain that used to be across the highway. Gander was generally 10-40% higher.

Academy actually has competitive (for brick and mortar) prices on most gun stuff, and some really good sales from time to time. The "yellow tag" clearance rack can be expensive with all the money one saves.

[CWM11B]

Ours just opened, so havent seen the sale stuff yet. Most of the stuff I saw was not better priced thsn my LGS. I may stop by again, but it was pretty much just another oversized eyesore to me. In an area that already couldn't handle the traffic load.

[GardoneVT]

An asinine policy like this only exists because those caught in felonious acts can sue claiming victimhood.

I guess we should all give up CCW because the assailant might get hurt and sue us.

You jest, but be advised that if your employer is a national firm and they find out you were involved in a defensive incident you may very well be terminated,whether the event happened on company property or not. Right or wrong, modern corporations are allergic to litigation and all potential causes thereof.

[whomever]

"I can understand telling employees not to stop theives if they steal a jacket or something like that. But when its a fucking gun, that's another story."

One of the Everytown et al. talking points over the last few years is that gun stores should have to lock all firearms in a vault overnight, lest robbers do one of the crash-a-truck-through-the-door things. That's not going to do much good if you bring them all out of the vault in the morning, then don't defend them.

[RevolverRob]

Stay out of big box stores ran by hippies and their ultra-PC, anti-employee corporate policies, MAGA.

I mean, the policy in question extends back to a time, long before the inmates ran the asylum.

Regardless, the existence of the policy was to protect the company from frivolous lawsuits. Remember the managers I mentioned getting fired? One of them was fired, because he accused a woman of stealing shoes - She had a receipt for her shoes from another store and was trying an alternative pair on to compare them to the ones she had purchased. He thought she was trying to switch old shoes for new shoes and accused her of stealing the shoes she was trying on. When the woman became frustrated she left the store - with her paid for shoes and not the ones she was trying on. He stopped her and in the process knocked her down, causing some minor injuries.

I don't know what the final tally was on this fuck up in terms of settlement costs, but I'm sure it was a lot more than the cost of a pair of shoes.

It's a big box retail chain that is nearly twice the size it was, when I worked for them. Even then, we weren't exactly hiring Rhodes Scholars to do the work. It paid 10-12 bucks an hour with no OT and minimal benefits. When your employees are sometimes not as smart as your customers - you do your best to stupid-proof the company to avoid the idiots bankrupting it.



One of the Everytown et al. talking points over the last few years is that gun stores should have to lock all firearms in a vault overnight, lest robbers do one of the crash-a-truck-through-the-door things. That's not going to do much good if you bring them all out of the vault in the morning, then don't defend them.

A bunch of guns have been stolen in exactly this manner. To the point where - corporate policy was all handguns and black rifles are locked in a safe at night after closing. Each night a hand counted inventory is conducted by two employees and a manager. Access to the safes and cages where the bulk of the guns are stored are limited to certain team leads and managers. Academy actually does (did?) have a pretty tight control on gun inventory.

____

So guys don't get me wrong - I applaud the store manager here for preventing theft of a gun and helping get a dangerous criminal off the street. Unfortunately, he had to know as he did this, that he would get fired for it. He will not win a wrongful termination lawsuit against the company, it's a clearly codified and trained policy. The good news is that in my experience, managers who were fired for violating this policy - usually had no problem getting jobs as managers at other retailers.

[RevolverRob]

BTW - I don't know if they still do it (probably not), but when I worked for them, remember in a time of recession - they offered college tuition assistance for full and part time employees who worked at least 15-hours a week. In addition they offered moderate health insurance, retirement options, and personal finance training to all employees full or part time (who worked at least 20-hours a week). At 41 hours you automatically collected OT and though it wasn't usually authorized, during the Holiday season it was possible to get up to 55 hours a week, 15 of that at time and a half. All employees regardless of status collected Holiday Pay when they worked a National Holiday.

And of course, all employees got an employee discount of 10-20% depending on the item.

___

I declined health coverage and retirement benefits at the time, but I utilized tuition assistance and OT as often as possible. Thanks to Academy - I ate well, slept in a decent apartment, drove a semi-decent car, saved some cash, and had reduced student loan debt when I graduated from college. And I always had plenty of ammo...

Sure, there were policies and practices that sucked, but I could have had far, far, worse employers. I really hope that not all of that has changed over the last decade, I'm sure some of it is gone. But at least when I was with them, they were a quality company, who did their best to take care of their employees, and I'm not ashamed to have worked for them ~4 years I did. They really did their best to be loyal to me and keep me healthy, sane, and decently paid.

[txdpd]

Companies don't care about getting sued by a shoplifter if an employee stops them and they get a booboo, they budget for stuff like that. They care about workers comp settlements if the employee gets hurt stopping a shoplifter. They don't want an employee getting hurt and having to pay for lifetime medical care.

[Jim Watson]

Squeaky Wheel got his job back

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/07/13/academy-rehires-dean-crouch-after-national-brouhaha/782368002/

[whomever]

And the thief is out on bail:

"According to the Leon County Clerk of Court’s website, Judge J. Smith set White’s bond at $5,000 — despite his death threats and promises to steal again."

https://www.thegunwriter.com/24333/academy-sports-would-be-pistol-thief-who-threatened-to-kill-upon-his-release-released-on-bond/

[HCM]

https://www.guns.com/2018/07/16/academy-rehires-fired-hero-manager-who-stopped-gun-theft-video/

Academy rehires fired ‘hero’ manager who stopped gun theft (VIDEO)


A Florida man canned by the big box retailer has accepted an offer to come back to work following a public backlash over his termination.

[beenalongtime]

https://www.guns.com/2018/07/16/academy-rehires-fired-hero-manager-who-stopped-gun-theft-video/

Academy rehires fired ‘hero’ manager who stopped gun theft (VIDEO)


This tends to mean they will be watching for any/all future infractions to get rid of him when the press is no longer around.:rolleyes:

[Duelist]

This tends to mean they will be watching for any/all future infractions to get rid of him when the press is no longer around.:rolleyes:

If he believes/understands that to be the situation he is in, then at least he has a paycheck while he updates his resume.

[willie]

Yep. He's hated by at least three people above him in his chain of command.