The story of the 7-Eleven clerks who defended their store from an aggressive shoplifter has spread far and wide, as Americans are happy to finally see good news amidst criminals in different parts of the country getting away scot-free.
But that is not how the Modesto Times' editorial board sees the situation.
In an editorial posted on Saturday, the headline reads: "Stockton 7-11 clerks went too far in viciously beating brazen shoplifter." According to them, the clerks were not in the right in the actions they took because "FRUSTRATION DOESN’T JUSTIFY VIOLENCE":
Authorities said the partially masked man had reportedly stolen from the store before. A Stockton police station is just across the street from the store, which may have contributed to the frustration of the store clerks. But again, we don’t know that, shouldn’t assume that and even if this were the case, frustration over theft on commercial property is not a justification for violence, in the eyes of the law...But thrashing the guy with a big rod, viciously and repeatedly, is not a lawful response. The bystander recording this display of vigilantism saw the beating for what it was and tried to intervene verbally, asking the clerks to stop and ushering the bruised man toward the door.
Before exiting, the shoplifter asked for a soda, calling into question his mental state. At no time did he appear to pose a physical threat to the clerks. Street justice may be popular in movies or among frustrated citizens, but it has no place in a society governed by the rule of law.
If there is any example of how out-of-touch the media are, even at the local level, it is this. The editorial admits the perp had stolen from the store before, but the editors claim the state of California is still "governed by the rule of law." The rule of law does not exist in California, which is why shoplifters are bold enough to carry out their crimes in broad daylight for all to see. They know the state has decriminalized stealing. That is the whole reason why this viral moment came about in the first place.
The Modesto Bee is also incorrect in saying the man was not a threat to the clerks. In a lesser spread video showing more of the incident, the robber warned the clerks to not stop or else he was going to shoot them while moving his hands towards his waist as if he had a gun. The media, even local outlets, have shown more often than not they have more compassion towards criminals than the people who are victimized by them.
It is safe to say the suspect has learned his lesson as, not only did he find out the clerks were going to stop him, but he is now a joke on the internet, his new lifetime nightmare being a Sikh with a stick.
