That is just disgusting. When we lived out west Albertsons was one store I always refused to shop at, their prices were always too high. Even sale items.

The two retail stores I have worked at both stressed that we were to do nothing with shoplifters except report them and watch them.  Nothing could be done about them until they exited the doors.  We were not to make physical contact with them to ensure our safety and to avoid lawsuits.

There's a lot of information I don't have about this Albertson's situation - 1) whether or not they were properly trained to handle shoplifters (but if they have worked with Albertson's so long they should have known) and 2) whether or not there was a violation of those rules.  The rules are in place to protect the employees and the store.  However, I believe the zero tolerance stance is excessive and would allow one warning regarding violation of such rules but no more.

I saw about three employee guys take down a shoplifter at an Albertsons once. It was pretty cool.

I was amazed that they would care enough to actually get physically involved. Frankly, I wouldn't put myself in any jeapardy at all to prevent shoplifting.

The shoplifter was a young 20-something man who kept saying "what are you doing?, what are you doing?" like he was some kind of victim who was shocked, SHOCKED that anyone would try and stop him from stealing.