NextSharkNextShark.com

Seattle deli owner suffers broken hips, fractured wrist after confronting shoplifter

Seattle deli owner suffers broken hips, fractured wrist after confronting shoplifter

A Korean Deli owner in Seattle suffered from broken hips and a fractured wrist after she confronted a shoplifter.

October 27, 2022
SHARE
A deli owner in Seattle suffered broken hips and a fractured wrist after she confronted a shoplifter, who she said has stolen from her three times before.  
Young Kim, 76, was shoved to the ground when she tried to stop the man from leaving her Delridge Deli Mart at the Frye Commerce center in Seattle on Sept. 25, reported The Seattle Times.  
In the store’s surveillance footage, the man, who is wearing a backpack with a winter hat and face mask, can reportedly be seen picking up items and coming up to the counter. As Kim rings up the items and places them in a bag, the man looks through his backpack and pockets for money. Kim then places the bag aside upon realizing that the customer has no money. 
However, the man walks away and picks up a muffin and ice cream before heading towards the exit. As Kim tries to take back the items, they fall to the floor. The man then picks up the ice cream before shoving Kim and walking away. 
“Somebody, help! Help!” Kim recalled yelling. “I try to walk. I cannot walk.” 
Subscribe to
NextShark's Newsletter

A daily dose of Asian America's essential stories, in under 5 minutes.

Get our collection of Asian America's most essential stories to your inbox daily for free.

Unsure? Check out our Newsletter Archive.

According to Kim, the same man had previously stolen from her three times prior to the incident. 
Kim, who was widowed at age 40 and has three children, is currently confined to her home as she heals from a hip-replacement surgery and a fractured right wrist. 
Although Seattle police are investigating, there have been no updates regarding the suspect. The misdemeanor may be elevated to a felony due to Kim’s injuries, according to police. 
Kim said that she and other business owners are so used to petty thievery in the area that sometimes employees do not bother filing a police report.
“Every day, small things, candy, a can of pop. Sometimes they open the drink and walk around,” Kim told The Seattle Times. 
Kim and her husband, Kun Sang Kim, moved to the U.S. from South Korea in 1977 in search of better opportunities. Kun Sang was killed in a traffic crash in July 1987. A year after, she opened a Japanese restaurant in the same minimart before shifting businesses in 1998.
“The most important thing is my children. Second is the deli,” Kim was quoted as saying. “Some people say stay home, be comfortable. I need to work, that is my life.”
 
Featured Image via The Seattle Times
MOST READ
    HAPPENING NOW
      Michelle De Pacina

      Michelle De Pacina is a New York-based Reporter for NextShark

      SHARE THIS ARTICLE:

      RELATED STORIES FROM NEXTSHARK

      Support
      NextShark's
      Journalism

      Many people might not know this, but NextShark is a small media startup that runs on no outside funding or loans, and with no paywalls or subscription fees, we rely on help from our community and readers like you.

      Everything you see today is built by Asians, for Asians to help amplify our voices globally and support each other. However, we still face many difficulties in our industry because of our commitment to accessible and informational Asian news coverage.

      We hope you consider making a contribution to NextShark so we can continue to provide you quality journalism that informs, educates, and inspires the Asian community. Even a $1 contribution goes a long way. Thank you for supporting NextShark and our community.

      © 2023 NextShark, Inc. All rights reserved.