Walmart employee fired after knife attack on shoplifter

A former Walmart employee is facing financial problems after being fired after being stabbed while trying to stop a shoplifter. John Zalesky, 68, was working at the Walmart on E. Smoky Hill Road in Centennial, Colorado, on Aug. 11. A woman was stealing merchandise from the store and John decided to intervene.

Another Walmart employee, familiar with the woman's shoplifting history, alerted John to her. He followed her to the store's exit and demanded a receipt, but she did not respond and walked to her car. John was determined to stop her and chased her to a vehicle parked in a handicapped spot near the entrance.

When John reached the car, a male suspect stabbed him in the arm as he attempted to retrieve the stolen items, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. The pair fled in an early 2000s silver Toyota sedan with no license plates. Although officers searched the area, the vehicle was not found.

'Starsky & Hutch' Walmart employee fired after being stabbed while trying to stop shoplifter: John Zalesky of Aurora, Colorado, says he was fired from a local Walmart after trying to stop a shoplifter outside the store. #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/Ng170zNMJs

— ZBreakingNewz (@ZBreakingNewz) 1 September 2024

John suffered a small cut on his forearm but declined hospital treatment, believing the injury to be minor. Remarkably, he returned to work the next day. However, a week later, the store's assistant manager informed John that he was being terminated. Walmart's policy prohibits employees from chasing shoplifters outside the store.

John, who now relies on a GoFundMe campaign until he finds a new job, expressed his sadness at losing his job. He had hoped to work there for 10 years before retiring. Despite his efforts to prevent thefts, he felt his dismissal was unfair.

A Walmart representative expressed hope for John's speedy recovery and reiterated the company's commitment to training its employees in theft prevention while maintaining safe environment policies.

Police taking statements at the scene described the suspects as white and in their 30s, with the woman having purple hair. They are urging anyone who recognizes the people or vehicle from surveillance photos to contact dispatch at 303-795-4711.