The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Monday, December 31, 2018 04:29 PM

Rockwood IGA Owner Brawls With Shoplifter

Rockwood IGA Owner Roger Sharp  has vowed to not let shoplifters get away with stealing from his store. Last week he proved it on Thursday when Sharp confronted a young man that he said stole throat spray.

"I saw him put the throat spray in his jacket and I started walking that way to talk with him and that's when he struggled and tried to get away from me," Sharp said.

Surveillance cameras captured the struggle in the checkout lanes. Eventually, the man later identified by Rockwood Police as 19-year-old Krisitian Draper, calmed down. Officials say Draper faces several charges including theft, assault and evading arrest and simple possession.

Sharp said the shoplifting has become an epidemic, and it has taken a toll on his store financially. Sharp said he has lost between $30,000 and $35,000 in the past year alone.

"If I were to let everyone go out of here that shoplifted, I wouldn't have a business. I wouldn't be able to pay my employees and bills if I let everyone get away," Sharp said.

Sharp explained that he always tried a calm approach at first, but that times have changed and most people want to get violent.

"These days a lot of the people that you catch either run or fight because they have a warrant or on probation," Sharp said.

Sharp said he has been in the grocery business for 50 years and he's dealt with many shoplifters and sustained several injuries, including a cracked rib and a trip to the hospital after he was knocked down by a getaway car. He told Local 8 News he just hopes people will get off drugs and stop stealing.

"Shoplifting takes away from my livelihood. I have to pay for everything when it comes in the backdoor, and I'd like for it to be paid for when it comes out the front door," Sharp said.