Video shows suspected shoplifter tackled to the ground by a Home Depot security guard
A woman accused of shoplifting from a Virginia Home Depot says the store security guard who tackled her on her way out should be charged with assault.
Footage from the interaction between Ashley Broyles, 31, and the unnamed security guard on Saturday shows a man straddling Broyles and attempting to handcuff her as she is flat on the floor.
'He said ma’am you have something in that purse that belongs to me. I picked up my purse and it was right there in the top of the cart,' Broyles, who is covered in scrapes and bruises told WTVR.
Tackle: Footage from the interaction between Ashley Broyles, 31, and the unnamed security guard on Saturday shows a man straddling Broyles and attempting to handcuff her as she is flat on the floor
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Share'He grabbed my purse and then he grabbed me and I might have pulled away from him,' she said.
Broyles recalls the guard pushing her to the ground and her face hitting the pavement.
'I remember him throwing me to the ground. I do remember that and that’s when he threw my face to the ground before that lady came to videotape the rest,' she said.
Boyles wasn't the only person who was troubled by the guard’s behavior. An onlooker named Sarah took footage of the event from her cell phone and later shared the video with the police.
However, according to the Chesterfield Police, the video does not show the moment Boyles reportedly pushed the security officer.
Physical: 'He said ma’am you have something in that purse that belongs to me. I picked up my purse and it was right there in the top of the cart,' Broyles, who is covered in scrapes and bruises, said
Statement: Home Depot said that the guard was acting within his rights and that he was actually pushed first by the alleged shoplifter
'Based on what was reported to the police, the loss prevention officer was acting within the law when he detained the suspect,' a Chesterfield Police spokeswoman said.
'It should be noted that the suspect was charged with assaulting the loss prevention officer prior to the apprehension.'
Boyles is shocked that the guard is charging her with assault. Broyles has a criminal history and in the past was charged with petit larceny and fraud but says that alleged shoplifting is no excuse to physically harm someone.
'For him to press assault and battery charges against me, I’m laughing, that’s crazy, I never touched him,' she said.
'At one point, he had me pinned down like over top of me. I couldn’t even move my arm. He twisted my arm. This whole arm hurts really bad.'
'I was stunned by the way he was handling it. They don’t shove their face in the ground and sit on top of them and twist the handcuffs,' said Broyles.
'I want to press assault and battery charges against him. Even if I did do something wrong, he shouldn’t have done what he did,' added Broyles.
Home Depot released the following statement: 'All of our security personnel are specially trained in handling the apprehension of shoplifters to reduce the safety risk to customers, our associates, and the suspected shoplifters themselves. Unfortunately, it’s very common for shoplifters who resist to endanger others or themselves, so our intention is always to protect customers and associates from what could be a dangerous situation.'
Charges: 'I want to press assault and battery charges against him. Even if I did do something wrong, he shouldn’t have done what he did,' added Broyles
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