A disturbing incident at a CVS on 86th Street has highlighted the challenges faced by retail workers in dealing with shoplifting. On Monday night, a security guard at the Upper East Side store was slashed in the face after confronting a shoplifter. The incident occurred at the CVS located on East 86th Street, near Second Avenue, around 11:30 p.m.
According to police reports, the thief was in the process of stealing electric razors and other shaving products, including blades and creams. He was concealing these items in his backpack when the 63-year-old security guard attempted to intervene. In response, the suspect reportedly pulled out a knife and slashed the guard just below his left eye.
Emergency services were called to the Cvs 86th Street location, and the injured security guard was promptly transported to Weill Cornell Medical Center. Fortunately, his injuries were deemed non-life-threatening. The shoplifter, however, managed to escape the CVS store with the stolen merchandise, estimated to be worth nearly $400. As of Tuesday morning, he remained at large.
Workers at the CVS 86th Street expressed their concerns and shed light on the store’s policy regarding shoplifting. One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that staff members are instructed not to physically engage with suspected shoplifters. Instead, the directive is to be “extra friendly” in the hope that increased attention might deter potential thieves.
“We do get a lot of shoplifters,” the employee admitted. “However, there’s a rule that we can’t put our hands on the shoplifters.” This policy leaves employees in a precarious position, as they are discouraged from direct intervention.
The staffer further elaborated on the “extra friendly” approach, explaining, “if we think someone is stealing, the approach is to be annoyingly friendly, like ‘Do you need help with this? Do you need help with that?’ So they are aware that we see them.” This strategy is seemingly employed to avoid direct confrontations while still attempting to prevent theft. The employee also noted an increase in shoplifting incidents, particularly “around this time of year” and more frequently at night.
Another CVS 86th Street worker voiced the internal conflict faced by the staff when shoplifting occurs. “I’m extremely curious [about] the company’s take on it, because if we do something, we get fired,” he stated. “If we don’t do something, it keeps happening. They could be stealing or go[ing] up to a customer, and we’re not allowed to step in.” This highlights the difficult situation where employees feel restricted in their ability to protect both store merchandise and potentially customers.
While acknowledging the unfortunate incident, the employee expressed a sense of resignation, stating he was not “expecting” assaults but recognized that “growing up in the city, things like that happen here.”
The injured security guard, reached by phone, confirmed his role as the “overnight supervisor” at the CVS 86th Street and his involvement in the incident. He indicated he would return the call but did not provide further details immediately.
This incident at the CVS on 86th Street raises serious questions about retail security policies and employee safety in the face of increasing shoplifting. The reliance on a “be extra friendly” approach may prove inadequate in deterring determined thieves and, as this case demonstrates, can expose employees to potential danger. The balance between preventing theft and ensuring the safety of retail staff remains a critical challenge for businesses in urban environments.
