Importance Score: 60 / 100 🔵
French Supermarket Security Guard Dismissed After Violent Shoplifting Incident
A security officer at a French supermarket has been dismissed for “unacceptable violence” after video footage captured him assaulting a young woman accused of shoplifting. The disturbing incident unfolded on Tuesday evening at a Carrefour Market in Mantes-la-Jolie, Yvelines, approximately 35 miles west of Paris. This incident, involving a security guard and alleged shoplifting, has sparked outrage and led to immediate action from the supermarket chain.
Graphic Video of Supermarket Altercation Emerges
Viral footage on social media illustrates the security guard punching the woman in the face before forcibly grabbing her neck with both hands. He then proceeds to push her to the ground during the altercation.
“Let Go of Me!” Shopper’s Plea
“Let go of me, let go of me,” the panicked shopper exclaimed as the guard demanded she empty her bag. The video captures the guard shouting, “Take out what you put in the bag!” and instructing a colleague to “call the police.”
Accused Shoplifter Responds
The woman, visibly distressed and struggling to break free, appears to have slapped the security guard. In response, the guard seemingly struck her back, questioning, “Why are you hitting me?”
Shoplifting Allegations and Police Involvement
Law enforcement sources have indicated to 78 News that the woman allegedly stole bottles of alcohol. Furthermore, she is reportedly “the subject of a CRPC (appearance on prior admission of guilt) prosecution by the public prosecutor.” This detail highlights the legal ramifications following the alleged shoplifting incident at the Carrefour supermarket.
Carrefour Condemns Security Guard’s Actions
The supermarket chain, Carrefour, has publicly denounced the security guard’s “intolerable act” of violence. They emphasized that such behavior is not in line with Carrefour’s core values and ethical standards. The company’s swift response underscores the seriousness with which they are treating this incident of alleged excessive force by a security operative.
Store Manager Files Complaint and Terminates Contract
The manager of the Carrefour store has reportedly taken immediate action by filing a formal complaint against both the security guard and his security company. Additionally, the store management is canceling its contract with the security firm, effectively terminating the guard’s employment at the location. This decisive response reflects the supermarket’s commitment to addressing the violent episode.
The security guard altercation took place at the Carrefour Market in Mantes-la-Jolie, Yvelines, a town situated roughly 35 miles to the west of Paris. Social media footage reveals the security personnel punching the woman and seizing her neck before forcing her to the floor.
“Release me, release me,” the shopper vociferously pleaded as the guard demanded access to her bag. He is heard repeatedly demanding she “remove what you placed in the bag!” and instructing a colleague to contact the police immediately.
Incident Details and Aftermath
The violent confrontation transpired at the checkout area of the Carrefour Market in Mantes-la-Jolie at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The released video clip, while not showing the preceding moments, clearly depicts a security guard assaulting a shopper suspected of theft, highlighting the escalation of events.
Despite the allegations of theft against the woman, Carrefour maintains that the security guard’s actions were “intolerable,” reiterating their stance against excessive force.
Official Statement from Carrefour
“Carrefour strongly condemns the unacceptable violence endured by this young woman in one of our franchised stores. This intolerable act contradicts Carrefour’s values,” the French retail group stated in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“The store manager is lodging a complaint against the security guard and the security company that employs him, and is in the process of terminating his contract,” the statement continued, emphasizing the consequences faced by the security personnel.
Carrefour further stated that law enforcement authorities are currently investigating the incident to “determine the precise circumstances of what is visible in the video,” signaling a thorough examination of the events.
“Our franchisee is fully cooperating with the authorities,” the official statement concluded, conveying their commitment to transparency and assisting in the ongoing investigation into the supermarket security incident.
Management representatives at the Mantes-la-Jolie Carrefour franchise have reportedly declined to provide comments regarding the incident to news outlets, maintaining silence amidst the unfolding investigation.
The publicly available video, lacking context from the moments preceding the alleged aggression, purportedly shows a security guard physically attacking a shopper he believed had committed theft in the supermarket.
Security Industry Code of Conduct Violated
According to reports from Le Parisien, the private security agent’s professional code of ethics explicitly states that guards must “never resort to violence, even minor violence.” This regulation underscores the severity of the guard’s deviation from established protocols during the supermarket incident.
In situations where a security guard cannot resolve a conflict “amicably” with an individual who “refuses to comply with legally executed checks and inspections,” the standard procedure mandates that the agent must contact the police to manage the situation and avoid escalation.
The professional code outlines self-defense as the sole justifiable circumstance for a security guard to physically strike another person. The ongoing police investigation will primarily focus on ascertaining whether the security officer’s actions at the Carrefour Market constituted self-defense during the alleged assault, or if they represent a breach of protocol and excessive use of force.