JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An employee at a Southside beauty supply store died Friday after trying to stop shoplifters from stealing at her place of work the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
It happened around 6 p.m. Friday night at the Beauty Max on Atlantic Boulevard in the Kernan Village shopping plaza before running out of the store around 6 p.m.
“Two individuals entered into the business, one of the individuals grabbed several items and ran out of the store with those items,” Sgt. Steve Rudlaff said. “A store employee followed this individual to her car which was ready for this person.”
Rudlaff said there are at least three suspects involved. Two entered the store, plus the driver of the getaway car.
“One of the suspects exited on foot with the items, got into the car they attempted to leave. The third suspect left on foot,” Rudlaff said.
The victim was transported to the hospital, but later died.
“I think that was very courageous of her to do that,” said one man who didn’t want to give his name. We will call him Mark. “That’s very unfortunate, my thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.”
Like many in the plaza, Mark was saddened and shocked by the news.
“It all could have been prevented,” Heather Colby said.
Colby frequents the shopping plaza and said she received the News4JAX notification late Friday night and was in complete shock.
“I think a lot of companies need to take accountability for their employees and make sure they are trained to know not to run after a shoplifter, especially in a busy area like this,“ Colby said.
A nearby business owner who wanted to remain anonymous told News4JAX’s Briana Brownlee a couple owns the store and there are only one or two employees. The business owner added that shoplifting is a major issue for businesses in the plaza.
Sgt. Rudlaff said it can be dangerous to confront shoplifters.
“It’s best to have a good security surveillance system so that can work for you,” Rudlaff said. “As you can see it can be very dangerous to confront them yourself.”
Anyone who may have been in the parking lot at the time of the incident or has video is urged to call 904-630-0500.
