East Village resident Steven Hirsch, a photographer who contributes to the Post, happened to be in the store at the time.
Per the Post article:
Two helpless Trader Joe's staffers had followed the man up an escalator leading to the store's exit but only stopped him from taking a shopping basket outside — not the meat, the video shows.
"They basically just tell us not to do anything, just let them go," a Trader Joe's worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, later explained to The Post.
"We get in trouble if we do anything … It don't bother me, I've been working here for two years, I see it happen every day. After a while, you just don't care."The man initially told Hirsch that he paid for the items, but then "claimed that he was homeless and had stolen the food to eat."
"I'm gonna eat it," the man says in the video. "I'm f–king hungry."
The incident made the cover of the Post under the headline "Hamburglar," part of a larger package on how CRIME is UP throughout the city.
52 comments:
This is BS. Why aren't people doing anything? I'm three months in the hole in rent, selling everything I own to pay and yet, I go to TJ and PAY. Why? Next time I think I'll just walk the f out. BS!
When sanity returns to the criminal Justice system and the cops are ALLOWED to make arrests I think the miscreant should be forced to PAY for what he attempted to steal thereby bankrupting him/her for the day. No I do not believe he stole 10 steaks because he was hungry. There are dozens of free meals in the neighborhood all over the place (I turn them down many times on Ave A when offered). If these thefts keep persisting that TJ's and many many other stores are going to close down. This CREEP stole 10 steaks? Were there five other people who did that too? Can a store afford to have thousands of dollars walking out every day? Look what is happening in San Francisco, Targets and Walgreens are closing their stores thanks to their HORRIBLE DA and the city's laws.
Hands off policing is about to go in a very dark direction. Luckily the new Mayor is a vegan .... OR IS HE?!?
Not to be glib, but if this man is homeless how is he going to cook 10 steaks? I assume if you're in a shelter longterm you have somewhere to cook your own meals? Not condoning shoplifting but I'd understand if it were bread or fruit or something that can be eaten without cooking but...10 steaks??? Is there a strong resale market for steaks these days? I'm so confused by this.
Ok, sorry, back again. (I'm the first commentor.) Doesn't something about this story seem odd? Like, the NY Post photographer just happens to get this big scoop at a been-there-at-precisely-the-right-time-moment? Not too hard to literally "shape" a crime story like this one just for the salacious cover. It IS outrageous, and I am outraged, until I thought about it for a minute. Honestly, it seems staged. That is not to say that crime isn't a problem, but this just seems as staged as yesterday's Law and Order "set" in Tompkins Sq. Park. Even the expression on the thief's face is odd...you'd look away from any camera, even with a mask on.
One more thing: If the photo was real (and not posed) why is the thief not moving? If he were moving, and the photographer "caught" him in the criminal act, shouldn't the background be a little blurred? This looks to me as though the NY Post is taunting our new mayor (and trying to sell more papers). I'm sure this guy's family bought (or stole) a stack.
This is a shame. Theft means increased prices for the rest of us. Credit to all those struggling to make ends meet who choose to do the right thing.
Seems like previous commenters are conflating TJs policy with law enforcement.
TJs and most any other large business have the "just let them go" policy to protect their employees, and thereby themselves, from inflaming a potentially hostile situation. The risk of a physical altercation is just not worth it to them. That's strictly a business decision.
I'm no fan of De Blasio or Adams, but to put this on either/both of them is nonsensical. Police would have been very much hands on if they caught this perp in the act.
Come on people. Set aside the hatred of the Post and its "agenda" for a second. We all know stuff like this happening all of the time in our neighborhood and its a huge problem. If you don't believe it, go to any drug store or grocery store and look at the amount of stuff that is locked up and/or talk to employees. Theft like this is a huge problem and it's going to drive more businesses out of our neighborhood. The City needs to do something.
No @11:37, from a technical standpoint regarding photography, no. There are multiple factors but basically if the shutter speed was fast it wouldn't be blurry there.
The same thought crossed my mind. How serendipitous the Reporter happened to be there. HOWEVER, if you read the article this miscreant is doing this a lot. would it have been so hard to have a tipster report this to the Post and they send a reporter to sniff around? Isnt it also possible that the reporter might lives in this community? Believe me this ISNT staged.It's that the criminals fear NO ONE anymore (Thanks former Mayor whateverthefuckyournameis).
11.22 AM
I also thought that this story was rather odd since Murdoch world ALWAYS has an agenda in their stories. Since there is a NYPD investigation of the crime I am hoping it was not a staged event although the police unions are MAGA organizations and, as @placardabuse has shown, corruption is tolerated at the NYPD.
I love the idea that cops can't arrest people right now for some reason. What kind of paranoid Escape from New York fantasy are you living in? If the cops aren't arresting someone it's because they a. don't care b. can't be bothered. Trader Joe's employees are not paid or trained anywhere near enough to put themselves in potentially dangerous situations and become enforcers for their company's bottom line. Maybe we should be demanding to know why the NYPD has a 7 billion dollar yearly budget but doesn't bother to do anything useful (if stopping someone from taking too many steaks is even indeed useful).
Not staged. This happens multiple times a day at this store. I work there.
This dude is obviously pushing it to its limits, but how can you see this "uptick in shoplifting" that the Post and their ilk are promoting and not think to yourself "Why are people shoplifting more?" Could it be that living in NYC is impossibly expensive?
These people are hurting NO ONE besides the CEO of trader joes, who is already price gouging you and blaming it on inflation. But you want police to arrest more of them? It costs me and you (via our tax dollars) a hell of a lot more to lock someone up than the price of 10 steak.
People are stealing food? Great, how about make food more affordable? You are three months back on rent and pay at trader joes? Great! You shouldn't have to pay 3 months in back rent!
It's sad to see such knee jerk right wing reactions from a supposedly "bohemian" neighborhood.
I saw 2 young guys at Nordstrum Rack bellied up to the "jewelry" display (cufflinks, cheap necklaces, bracelets and watchbands, etc) obviously stuffing merch into their coats for the entire 15 solid minutes that I was in the store. I've heard story after story from friends who've seen similar thefts at Marshalls, Duane Reade and others. Obviously, the more that people are allowed to get away with it, the more that they will and new thieves will join in. So is there really a problem with the cops? Or should all of these businesses who are losing thousands and thousands of $$ each day start employing real security people to stop the thieves and turn them in?
12:50 'Right Wing' to want people to take responsibility for themselves and do what's right? Really is it so 'Right Wing' to NOT have a horde of people go pillaging and running out of stores with their arms filled with stolen merch? Is it 'Right Wing' to NOT want these stores to close down and put their employees out-of-work so that they too in an act of desperation join the other pillagers? Where is this designation coming from? What right do you have to label others?
This is 12.22 PM.
Upon further review of the additional posts at this thread, this was not a staged event. I myself have witnessed this type of theft at the CVS at 1st Ave and 15th Street. The private security guard stationed at TJs is paid just above minimum wage and is strictly there as a deterrence. If things get nuts, 911 is called. Otherwise, this type of theft is basically ignored. I have seen NYPD officers on station at the CVS and at Target but only on a temp basis and that seems the only way to stop this type of theft. Like theft at construction sites that has been going over forever, this type of theft will be eventually be built into price of goods.
Calm down everyone, at least no one is stealing the quinoa.
That guy's not homeless. He's taking advantage of Joe's instructing employees not to intervene and the cops not interested as there's no gun involved. He figures worst case a cop happens to be shopping and decides to intervene and he gets a desk appointment ticket, best case $100 worth of meat. By my low end budget standards Joe's slabs of beef are expensive.
Hopefully he's planning a barbecue in an abandoned restaurant shed. Eh more likely back to a 2.5k studio to watch Netflix and eat steak.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to one of those of-the-moment pop-ups in Soho and walking out with some Etherium.
James, it's pretty right wing to love the cops and think petty theft (of food we're talking about here, which dollars to donuts probably would have ended up in a dumpster soon anyway) outweighs the collective theft these institutions do as a routine matter of business. Year after year, wage theft beats any other form by a wide, wide margin: https://www.tcworkerscenter.org/2018/09/wage-theft-vs-other-forms-of-theft-in-the-u-s/
Honestly, why would anyone in NYC be worried about what happens to Walgreens or Trader Joe's or Amazon's Whole Foods? These companies do not care whether you live or die, and would prefer you die if it meant they made more money. I'll be mad about someone taking steaks when we all don't have to pay feudal barons half our wages for the right to live indoors. That's real theft.
Heard from reddit forum that they resell them in the Bronx at a discount as well
As on the street
It's a still from a video.. so not staged. Wouldn't be surprised if he sold it right on the corner of 14th street anyway.. it's an open air market for all type of stolen stuff now anyway.
Who will ultimately pay for all of this theft? Us the regular folks through higher prices, empty shelves, and closed neighborhood stores.
Until they start prosecuting these petty crimes again it will only get worse and worse. Why would anyone be deterred?
I wonder if this maneuver will work in the wine shop next door....
@Ian
I agree I don't know why people are mad. Joe's will fix it if it becomes a problem. But their steaks are expensive and not ending up in a dumpster and that guy wasn't homeless, looks more like a sports bar type who figures he can get away with it.
I'm ambivalent about shoplifters at the big chain stores but when a crackhead looked about to get violent with a Joe's employee I was gonna ruin his day. I don't work there and I don't care what your issue is don't hulk up on a woman. The guy walked out with some random items sputtering so it didn't get hot.
You people that are dismissing theft at stores because they are big corporations are really missing the forest for the trees. First and foremost, this is not isolated to large businesses and a much bigger issue for small businesses given their smaller sales/number of stores. Second, theft raises costs for everyone. Third, dismissing theft of anything justifies it for everyone which is a really slippery slope. Can't believe this stuff needs explaining.
Not at all staged. If you went to the post's webpage this morning you would see the entire video including the thief grabbing a black garbage bag from a porter down the block who was sweeping the street in front of a building so the thief stash the steaks. The porter even went after the guy to retrieve the bag. It was the top story on the website.
This was at the avenue A @ 14th location!
Wrong, If you watch the news you would know that these thieves know they won't be prosecuted and can do it again the very next day. Did you hear about the rite aid closing in hell's kitchen because of the relentless robbing over ands over and over again! Why do you think Target now locks all their basic beauty aid products and an employee has to unlock a case to get something that not long ago would never have be considered a lock up item?
You would think he would have stolen a couple bags to carry those out.
This is happening a lot in TJs. The store has a lax security situation. Basically, the employees are told they are not allowed to stop someone who is stealing. I get that. It is risky to confront shoplifters and there have been a lot of instances where people act out in the store and even attack employees. But there should be security guards who can take action. I don't know why but TJs is against having security.
The interesting part of this story is how it such a common attitude towards entitlement from the top down. Privilege can be for everyone since "I" am all that matters, my needs must be fulfilled regardless of rules which holds this fucked up society together. It is perfectly ok to park your muscle car in front of an apartment building at 1 AM with your music blasting. Park you car in a bike lane, like whatever... or use a children's playground as your own personal dog run. It you want go for it. Assholes.
Neighbor 3:18 You now have a broad-based number of 'Progressives' that feel its ok to debauche or destroy what is existing. This includes stores, Museums, etc. It's really an Anarchistic mindset. "Ian' above is just a poseur who more than likely never had to WORK or PAY out of his own pocket for something. Cause if he did he would be LIVID to see these items being taken by people for whom theft is just a GAME!
R: Ian
Also, all the smaller stores have to deal with this out of control theft.
"But there should be security guards who can take action. I don't know why but TJs is against having security."
If you have been to the TJs on Ave A and 14th Street (the store this article is about, not the Union Square store), they do have private security guards (paid just above the min. wage-that's part of the issue) but the one I see all the time couldn't take on or deter a 10 year old, never mind an adult shoplifter. And even if they looked like the Rock, again, they are told not to have a confrontation.
Do you blame the manager or security guard? It's not worth losing your life or job becoming injured. Let them go and don't engage with them. Don't touch them too. They could have a weapon. You never know in today's climate. You could even be sued if you intervene. Just let them walk out and let the upper management and ownership address the issue. It's not fair to those of us who pay for our things, but hey life isn't fair.
Rib eye or T-bone? Asking for a friend.
ON MY WAY!
At 2:41 PM, DL said:
Who will ultimately pay for all of this theft? Us the regular folks through higher prices, empty shelves, and closed neighborhood stores.
Ultimately, he will: coronary artery disease will get him, and a stroke may be what finally takes him out. (When was the last time you saw someone stealing fresh vegetables?)
WOW… nothing like some stolen steaks to rev up the EVG base!!
I’ve seen so many people stealing from this store, I’ve even reported it, and they did nothing. Trader Joe’s staff has gotten increasingly worse and lazy, reaching Whole Foods level soon. Used to be a time TJ staff was the friendliest even in NY, now I see their staff yelling at customers for zero reason and not a care in the world.
This branch has security guards, but whats the point of having them if the security cant do anything about theft. Its the damn lawyers, who will sue TJs or any of the employees if they intervene. So its cheaper for TJs to take a smaller loss then fight in court. Just like what Michael Rappaport videoed last week.
@9:57 PM
You have obviously never had a job working face to face with the general public and I can tell you everyone eats meaning you would meet all types working at a TJ's. My sister works at WF and she tells me most people are decent but many are horrific, entitled and steal food by returning half eaten cakes knowng they will get a full refund which for all purposes is another form of theft. It is not worth the possible threat to body and life for supermarket employees to stop theft because YOU don't like it. .
Ok EV neighbors time for a little humor.
Instead of the photographer filming the thief. He should have walked behind him shouting SHAME! SHAME! Every couple feet while ringing a cow bell. I hope there are GOT fans out there. Remember the time when the only things we complained about were season finales?
"He should have walked behind him shouting SHAME! SHAME! Every couple feet while ringing a cow bell."
Definitely need more cowbell.
@James - I been a poor workin boy my whole life and that's why I think shoplifting is just expropriating some of the wealth stolen by the vampires at the top of our capitalist food chain. I'm guessing you never had to eat sleep for dinner or watch people you care about be forced onto the street for the crime of being poor. We, collectively, have been robbed of so much. I'm happy to see people take some back. Let the man eat his steaks and if he's selling them for lower prices to others then he's doing a good deed honestly.
Watch the video. He stole the trash bag of some guy (super?) who was cleaning the street later. Not just honorable re-distribution of wealth. He'll steal your stuff as well.
You honestly think the “capitalist vampires” suffer from shoplifting? It’s the “poor working” folks who suffer! This guy isn’t some Robin Hood, he’s a thief plain and simple!! Lost revenue means lost jobs and opportunities for the unemployed!! Those at the top don’t suffer in the least!! Just remember “no good deed goes unpunished”!!
Wow what an absolutely pathetic series of comments. Ya'll are mad someone stole 10 steaks, but don't give a shit about corporate wage theft. Bunch of NIMBYS have turned into the conservatives you claim to hate.
We all remember how that “take some back” and “take from the rich give to the poor” idea worked out in Russia 1917
Security guards have no authority to tackle people. Observe and report is their job. They can only ask the thief politely to stop.
We can all thank dumb DeBlaaaaaahsio for changing the laws. This directly translates to the amount of theft happening and the amount of crazy and/or homeless people all over the city and in the subways. Don't get me started on the gangs of kids doing grab and dash, too.
Everyday is a freaking challenge to get home safe and without harassment or interaction from these people. DO SOMETHING ADAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Trixie an SNL fan also, awesome. One of the best Will Ferrell skits.
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