A Kentucky convenience store owner has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and assault after allegedly attacking a man he suspected of shoplifting from his store. The incident occurred on October 6, 2024, when 40-year-old Kaushalkumar Patel reportedly noticed a customer leaving his E-Z Super Food Mart in Louisville without paying for a box of vape pens.
According to police reports, the accused shoplifter attempted to escape, but Patel and several others pursued him in a van. The suspect was then pepper-sprayed and forced into the vehicle. The alleged assault escalated when the group took the man to a nearby garage, where he was reportedly subjected to physical abuse, including being hit with a piece of wood.
The victim was later returned to Lee Street, where his mother collected him and took him to a hospital for treatment. Medical reports indicate that he sustained a concussion and bruising, and required stitches.
Patel was arraigned on Friday on charges of kidnapping, second-degree assault, and wanton endangerment. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Patel is currently being held at the Louisville Metro Detention Center, with bail set at $100,000. Court records indicate that he is due to appear in court again on January 24.
This incident underscores the potential dangers faced by retail workers and the extreme measures some may take in response to suspected theft. It also raises questions about the appropriate response to shoplifting and the potential for vigilante justice.