Takedown of alleged shoplifter at Calgary grocery store leaves onlookers shocked

Video of a woman being detained and taken to the ground by security outside a Calgary grocery store has sparked questions about use of force.

The clip circulating on social media appears to show a security guard using force on an alleged female shoplifter at a co-op location in northwest Calgary.

Klane King was meeting a friend in the area on Thursday when he came across what he described as a woman being wrestled to the ground.

“It looks like WWE,” says King. “He picked her up….and he’s wrenching her arms up and she’s not resisting. He’s like hurting her.”

The clip appears to show the guard talking with a passerby and what appears to be an employee as the woman is brought back to her feet and escorted into the store.

Calgary Co-op Communications Manager Sage Pullen McIntosh says the company is working closely with security provider Vaughan Investigations to help with loss prevention and safety.

“If the situation escalates or if there is a concern for the safety and wellbeing of customers and staff, these officers can arrest and detain someone,” she says in a statement. “In rare occasions they may need to use handcuffs which can be very upsetting for anyone involved or observing the situation.”

She adds the incident remains under investigation.

Calgary police tell CityNews they were called in relation to the incident and no charges were laid.

It’s a situation that King says he hopes he never sees again.

“In that moment, I felt helpless,” he says.