A Colorado Supermarket Worker Was Fired For Filming Shoplifters

A Colorado supermarket employee was fired for filming three men who stole more than $500 worth of laundry detergent from the store on Father’s Day.

Santino Burrola, who was working at a King Soopers location in Arapahoe County, Colorado, was alerted to a robbery in the store and immediately grabbed his phone in an effort to catch the shoplifters.

“When I looked there was already a guy halfway headed out with a food cart full of laundry detergents and scent boosters and what have you,” Burrola told CBS Colorado. “My first instinct, record.”

Burrola, a former military officer, followed the three shoplifters to the store parking lot where they hastily loaded their haul into a Black Chevrolet Trax. “Really bro? You gotta resort to this? The economy’s not that bad,” Burrola said before the thieves peeled off.

“Better gettin’ while the gettin’s good,” Burrola joked while the driver initially sped off without his two accomplices.

Before the thieves made their escape, Burrola pulled off a piece of aluminum that was covering up the car’s license plate. He then contacted the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s department and shared the plate number and video, which soon went viral on social media.

“So I posted it on TikTok, hoping that somebody would recognize them,” the grocery store employee said of the video, which racked up more than 1.5 million views.

When Burrola clocked in for his next shift, he was told that he had been suspended. A week later, he was fired. “Me and the union rep sat down with them and they recommended termination,” Burrola said. “I would never let any criminal conduct slide, especially when it’s happening right in front of me.”

The former King Soopers employee stated that he made sure not to touch the thieves and was only trying to help the community. “Did I feel that I overstepped boundaries? Not really because I didn’t physically touch them or alter their shoplifting in any way, I just revealed the license plate to help the community to be aware, the police be aware and to help better catch them,” Burrola told 9News.

The supermarket chain told CBS Colorado that they maintain a strict policy that bars employees from intervening to stop shoplifters. “We are disappointed by the increased level of crime across retail establishments and the impact these incidents have on our associates and customers. We remain committed to working in partnership with local law enforcement to address this issue, as safety remains a top priority,” King Soopers said in a statement.

“We have security measures in place to help prevent crime and de-escalate such confrontations to minimize the risk to our associates. While we are unable to comment on personnel matters, we value our hardworking associates and their safe return home,” the statement continued.

As for the thieves, police announced that one suspect is in custody and will be facing theft/shoplifting charges.

“Investigators have already identified and arrested the driver, Jorge Pantoja, 32, the man in the green shirt,” the Arapahoe Sherriff’s Office said in a statement. “Pantoja is currently in custody at the Adams County Detention Facility on unrelated felony charges. He has also been charged with Theft/Shoplifting, a Class 2 Misdemeanor.”

The two additional suspects are still on the loose.