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

October 27, 2022

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.”

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

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