Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and be grateful for what you do have, but for others, it’s a time to remember ALL the things they don’t have and partake in a little retail theft.
Two men have been charged in a Black Friday incident that took place at a Kohl’s store location in Romeoville, Ill.
At 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving, police received a call regarding shoplifting inside the store.
When police arrived, one of the suspects ran out of the store and jumped into a Pontiac Sunfire in an attempt to flee the scene. An officer went after him and ended up being dragged across the parking lot after his arm was intentionally closed in the car door.
According to ABC7 Chicago:
Police say a backup officer ordered the driver to stop multiple times, and when he kept going, the backup officer fired three to four shots toward the driver. The driver was struck once in the shoulder area, and at that time, the car came to a stop…
Robert Russell, 51, has been charged with retail theft, obstructing an officer and attempted murder. Twenty-eight-year old Gerald Chamberlain, who was still in the store during the confrontation, has been charged with theft. The driver was identified as 52-year-old Charles Hinch and he is being hospitalized for his injuries.
The police officer was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital.
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A returning customer told MyFoxChicago this morning that she was informed by her husband about the string of events that took place the night before.
“What bothers me is it was over clothing,” Karen Hasberger said. “So that’s upsetting that somebody felt they had to steal clothing, and a police officer put his life on the line for that. It’s not like a jewelry heist or a bank robbery.”
Kohl’s spokeswoman, Sydney Hofer, declined to release any additional information other than the store was cooperating with the police department’s investigation.
Despite the frightful events that took place, the store remained open today for Black Friday.