RINCON, GEORGIA: A Lowe's worker named Donna Hansbrough was recently let go as an employee from a store in Rincon, Georgia, after she intervened in a shoplifting incident. Hansbrough attempted to stop a group of shoplifters trying to steal merchandise worth over $2,000 from the store in June. Unfortunately, the shoplifters took to violence rather than cooperating during the incident.
As per reports, they repeatedly punched Hansbrough in the face during the confrontation, causing her to sustain a black eye from the attack. Despite her brave and heroic actions in confronting the shoplifters, Hansbrough faced the surprising consequence of being fired from Lowe's after working there for 13 years. The reason for her termination was supposedly that she violated company policy, which dictates that staff members who witness shoplifting incidents should not intervene directly, and should instead call the authorities and let them handle the situation.
Who is Donna Hansbrough?
Hansbrough is a 68-year-old woman from Rincon, Georgia, who has worked an impressive 13-year tenure at Lowe's, proving her commitment to her work and the store's well-being. Her colleagues and community recognize her as a dependable and devoted employee. Hansbrough's recent act of bravery made headlines when she took a courageous stand against a gang of shoplifters attempting to steal merchandise worth over $2,000 from the store.
'He punched me again and again'
"The guy decided he wanted to be let go, so he punched me and grabbed my glasses as I still held onto the cart," Hansbrough told WTOC. "He punched me again and again," she said tearfully. Her eye suffered swelling and discoloration, turning black due to the impact. Nearly a month has passed since the incident and she recently shared that her black eye is now on the path to healing.
"They say that if you see somebody stealing something out the door, not to pursue, not to go out. I just got tired of seeing things get out the door. I basically lost all the training. Everything they tell you to do, I just … I just lost it," Hansbrough explained. "I grabbed the cart. I don't actually remember going out but I did. And I grabbed the cart that had the stolen items in (it)." "I didn’t expect to get terminated, maybe a reprimand or a suspension," she expressed, adding, "I’m going to look for a new job. I can’t sit at home. I’m not that type of person." Notably, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up for her, and it has successfully gathered $7,021, surpassing the initial goal of $7,000.
Authorities have identified the suspects
As per police, the suspects involved in the shoplifting incident have been identified as Takyah Berry, her uncle Joseph Berry, and another individual named Jarmar Lawton. However, it has been reported that both Takyah and Joseph Berry are still on the run and have not been apprehended by the police. The investigation is ongoing as law enforcement continues its efforts to locate and detain the remaining suspects involved in the case of Hansbrough.