Rick M
October 23
ATTN: Grievance Department
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to bring to your attention a situation that occurred at your Stuart, Florida location 10/19/08:
I am a 54 year old retired Mechanical Engineering Technician. I had to stop working almost one year ago from disabilities involving an accident which resulted in numerous surgeries, over a 10 to 12 year period, the last on July 2nd of this year and now draw Social Security Disability Income. Because of my condition, physical handicaps and medication regimen I have developed almost total Erectile Dysfunction, (ED), which I usually never discuss with anyone, not even my Wife, the subject is that sensitive to me. My Wife and I own our home in Hobe Sound and have 5 children, 4 Daughters and a Son ranging from 36 to 19 the last Daughter attending Indian River State College.
We shop at Wal-Mart, 4001 S.E. Federal Highway, Stuart, Florida, 34997-4909, Telephone # 772-288-4749, and including time at the (Old) Wal-Mart that was across the street, have done so, at least twice a week for approximately 15 years.
My Wife and I were planning to go on vacation, and were in your Super Store Sunday, 10/19/08, in the checkout line when we realized that we had forgotten something in the pet department. As I was on my way to the pet department I passed some small packages that said "Finally" an answer to my (ED) problem. I am very sensitive about this as I think most men would be, and without thinking I took some of the product out of the package. I had the product in my hand in plain sight and was placing the empty package back on another shelf when an Off Duty Officer accused me of stealing it. Another gentleman identified as the Assistant Store Manager, Jason Richardson, and another gentleman, an unidentified Wal-Mart employee instructed that I go directly to an office at the main entrance of the store. I tried to explain to them my condition and what had happened and offered several times to pay for the product if they would just not tell my Wife. As we went to the office we were in plain eye sight and calling distance of my Wife but I was not allowed to summon her. I was taken into a dark office at the main entrance in front of the store alone. My Wife was notified, but then not allowed to come into the privacy of the office.
A Martin County Police Officer, Officer Matt Pope entered, and as I was standing directly in front of him, he began to look me over, making rude remarks. I also tried to talk to him, but he would not listen. He then started to handcuff me. I was never told that I was under arrest or read my rights. I told him that I was totally disabled and on Social Security Disability and asked that he please not handcuff me because it would hurt me, he then said You don't look disabled to me, you're standing aren't you? He then handcuffed, me started yanking on the center chain and pushing me towards the metal bench against the wall and told me to sit down.
My poor Wife that knew nothing about this was made to sit across the main entrance of the Wal-Mart Superstore with her cart load of perishables melting while one of your employees yelled out that I had stolen some penis erection potion and how much that it was piece by piece which came to under 100.00. I was also illegally searched since I was never seen putting anything in my pockets or leaving Wal-Mart premises with any non-purchased products. No one had reason to handcuff me or put their hands in my pockets.
I have had several major spine surgeries, the last on 07/02/08 and under the care of 4 Doctors at this time. I quickly became very uncomfortable sitting on the metal bench. The Officer and the Wal-Mart Employees were fully aware of this because I could not help but start to make sounds of discomfort. Whenever I did this, they would stop, slowly repeat what they were doing and make sure that I knew that they were going to take EXTRA TIME again and again, every time I made a sound. Twice Officer Pope asked if I wanted and ambulance because he said YOU DON'T LOOK GOOD. At one point I asked him please hurry, and again he went slower saying that I did not look disabled to him. Finally he said that if I made one more remark he was taking me to jail.
This senseless act of Wal-Mart for no reason or real value has devastated my family. On average we spend $200.00-500.00 per week. My picture is now on the wall of a store that we have shopped at for 15 years and now we are banned from there! As I have stated I am disabled and this incident has detrimentally worsened my mental and physical condition. It has created a nightmare.
We would like to request that Wal-Mart make this go away, just like it never happened. We would also like a letter of apology, all records and courts dates erased, to be able to shop in that store again (Not that we will), and I want my picture taken down, just like nothing ever happened.
The is a court hearing scheduled at the
We have consulted our family Attorney for advice regarding this matter. At this time, we do not feel that we need to retain him. We do however, at his request, expect to hear a response from you as soon as possible in preparation for the above date. If we do not hear from you within 10 days, my family and I will explore and pursue all legal, public, and organizational avenues possible.
Sincerely,
Rick M
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