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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Mother of three says Wal-Mart loss prevention officer wrongfully accused her of shoplifting

Petrou steven

HOUSTON - Harris County resident Sandra Guerra brought a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. after an encounter with a loss prevention officer, recent court documents say.

Alleging the employee wrongfully accused her of shoplifting, Guerra launched the litigation in Harris County District Court in late October.

Houston federal court received the suit on Nov. 22.

Guerra explains that on Dec. 9, 2012, she was at the return counter of the defendant's store in northwest Houston when a "screaming" worker confronted her.

According to the suit, the officer, identified as Matthew, repeatedly yelled that the plaintiff "took" items from another Wal-Mart.

Accompanied by her three children, the suit says, Guerra's body "was shaking and her heart was racing."

The claimant tried to convince Matthew, who is not a party in the case, "that she did not take any merchandise that did not belong to her and that she had gift receipts for all her merchandise" to no avail.

The suit further shows Matthew detained Guerra on the side of the return area, but after he spoke with his superiors on the phone, he allegedly told the plaintiff, "They f***ed up," and "walked away without an apology."

Guerra insists the subject event "embarrassed" her and made of her children tearfully ask her if she was going to jail.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Steven E. Petrou of Cypress is representing the complainant.

Case No. 4:13-CV-3463

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