Ohio Meijer Arrests Autistic Teen for $110 in Expired Food, Sparks Outrage

Incident at Meijer Store

• 🚨 A 19-year-old autistic deli worker at a Meijer store in Ohio was arrested for allegedly stealing food items totaling $110 over a three-month period.
• 💡 The stolen items reportedly included orders of chicken and fruit cups.
• ⚠️ The employee, James Dennison, explained that he sometimes forgot his wallet and intended to pay back the items, and that his breaks were cut short, making it difficult to pay for food.

Escalation and Arrest

• 👮 Police bodycam footage shows the teen being confused and arrested for theft, with officers removing items from his pockets.
• 🚶 He was walked out of the store by supervisors, leading to an embarrassing situation.
• 🚗 In the police car, the officer advised him against further discussion to avoid self-incrimination, noting it was a minor theft.

Controversy Over Food Status

• 📰 Reports, including one from Upworthy, suggest the food in question was already marked as "throwaway" or nearing its expiration date.
• 💰 The value of $110 for expired or soon-to-be-expired fresh food is questioned as being not worth the escalation.
• 🗣️ The officer indicated he would likely release the teen on his own recognizance without bond due to the minor nature of the alleged theft.

Public Reaction and Company Response

• 📢 The arrest footage went viral, sparking significant public outrage and calls for a boycott of Meijer.
• 📝 Meijer issued a statement acknowledging the incident should have been handled differently and that they implemented a new procedure earlier in the year to prevent recurrence.
• 🔄 This statement marked a shift from an earlier one given to Inc., which stated the employee had knowingly committed multiple thefts over months totaling hundreds of dollars, justifying law enforcement involvement.