Grocery store clerk fired after stopping purse thief

BURLINGTON, Vt. — A grocery store clerk who chased down a purse thief was fired after his heroic deed, he said.

Amir Shedyak, 20, who had worked four years at a Hannaford grocery store, just started a shift one day in August when a customer flagged him down, WCAX reported.

“And he was like, ‘an old lady’s purse just got stolen,’" Shedyak told WCAX. “I look to my right and I see a gentleman running across the parking lot and he had the purse in his hand.”

Shedyak, who also works as a volunteer firefighter, caught up to the man, identified as Adrian Moore. Shedyak grabbed him from behind and held him down. Shedyak managed to get back the woman’s purse. However, as he called police, Moore was able to run off.

Police later arrested and charged Moore with larceny, WCAX reported.

Shedyak said rather then be commended for his actions, he was fired.

“We do not comment on personnel matters,” the grocery store said.

Shedyak said he was able to find another job.

Cox Media Group