It’s natural to assume that when a store owner sees someone shoplifting from their store, they’d call the police and demand repayment. But when Sergio De Leon captured a shoplifter on his security camera, he didn’t turn the video over to the police. Instead, he offered to give the man more groceries for free.
De Leon owns a Mexican deli and grocery store in Spokane, Washington, called De Leon Foods. His store is shoplifted fairly often, he told KHQ News, so he recently installed security cameras. He said that beer is taken all the time, but that wasn’t the case in this instance. De Leon watched on the camera as a man walked out the back door without paying for essential groceries like milk and vegetables — which De Leon assumed were for his family.
Instead of trying to prosecute him for not paying, De Leon posted the security video on Facebook, offering help to the shoplifter.
“I see you took milk, tamales, and other groceries, which makes me think you have a family,” he wrote. “If you are in need, please come and see me and I will see that your family gets these groceries without you getting in trouble.”
De Leon wanted to help the shoplifter, who he knew must be going through tough times. De Leon knows exactly what that’s like, as he grew up going to food banks with his family. Now, he has a successful store with his name on it, and he wants to offer help to those who are in need like he was.
“I kind of wanted to show this individual that there are places out there where he can go for help,” De Leon explained to KHQ News. “I think we can help him out also.”
His Facebook post has received a huge response since it was posted on Monday, with over 2.5k likes, 576 shares, and 165 comments. The positive messages keep pouring in, praising the generosity of this store owner.
“I’ve never shopped at your store before, but I will go out of my way to do so now because of the way you responded to this video,” Patty Marinos commented. “Theft is never acceptable, but your forgiving heart speaks volumes about the man that you are and how you run your business. Thank you.”
“A very generous and honorable offer on your part. It may just be the second chance this person needs. De Leon Foods will always have my business and respect. Feliz Navidad to you and your family,” wrote Elise Jamison.
“When you steal food it’s because you’re hungry or have children who are hungry,” Tammy Hullin commented. “Thank you for showing compassion when you could have been bitter and angry. This is why Spokane loves DeLeon’s.”
We love how De Leon chose kindness, when it would have been so easy to respond in anger. We could all use more compassion like this in the world today.
h/t: KHQ News