SportChek worker claims she was fired for standing up to shoplifter

A Vancouver retail worker is fuming after she says she was fired for confronting a shoplifter at SportChek’s Robson Street store.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

A Vancouver retail worker is fuming after she says she was fired for confronting a shoplifter at SportChek’s Robson Street store.

Aria Carter, who has worked at the location for three years, told reporters she was fired earlier this month after confronting a suspected thief.

Carter told reporters that over the past three years, he has been spat at, harassed, and physically accosted by shoplifters.

Canadian Tire Corp., which owns SportChek, stated it could not comment on individual employment matters but noted its "No Touch/No Chase" policy requires staff to avoid direct engagement with shoplifters.

The company said safety is its top priority and that additional security has been added at some stores, including the Robson Street location.

Carter says theft was a regular occurrence at the location and that employees were often subjected to threats and abuse.

The former employee even shared video of one incident in which a man spat in Carter's face after being told to leave. In another recording, Carter says a man tried to force his way into the store after closing.

“It just degrades you and makes you feel awful the entire time you’re working there,” Carter said.

Vancouver police say violent retail theft is rising, with offenders increasingly using knives, needles and other weapons to intimidate workers and security.

“It’s a huge problem in our city,” said Sgt. Steve Addison. “People committing thefts are using weapons and physical force to get past staff.”

True North spoke to Carter directly, who said that over three years of working at Sportchek: “I have had someone spit on me, try to bash a skateboard over my head, threaten to come back and murder me, people legit screaming transphobic comments in my face.”

City council voted in April to create a task force to study the root causes of theft. A report is expected this fall.