Supermarket worker Gary MacArthur fired for tackling prolific Champagne thief on same day he performed CPR on stroke victim

A shocking incident at a British supermarket has left a loyal employee jobless after he was fired for tackling a Champagne thief. Gary MacArthur, a dedicated worker at Sainsbury’s in southeast London for 15 years, found himself in hot water when he intervened to stop a shoplifter on the same day he had heroically assisted a colleague who suffered a stroke.

The day of the incident, MacArthur had stayed an extra hour to help out his female co-workers after the store’s security guard fell ill. Little did he know that his act of kindness would lead to his dismissal. When a notorious Champagne thief targeted the store, MacArthur sprang into action to apprehend the criminal. Despite being off duty, he refused to stand by and watch the thief get away with stolen goods.

The situation took a dangerous turn when the thief became aggressive and started hurling bottles at store employees. MacArthur managed to restrain the criminal until the police arrived, preventing further chaos in the supermarket. However, instead of being commended for his bravery, he was accused of gross misconduct and fired from his job in March.

This wasn’t the first time MacArthur had been reprimanded for intervening in theft incidents. In August 2025, he had received a warning for his response to a similar situation. Despite facing physical harm and losing teeth in previous altercations with shoplifters, MacArthur couldn’t turn a blind eye to criminal behavior.

Sainsbury’s justified their decision to terminate MacArthur’s employment by stating that employees should act as a “visual deterrent” rather than physically engaging with thieves. The supermarket chain emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of staff and customers, citing a rise in incidents of violence and theft in stores.

Unfortunately, MacArthur is not alone in facing consequences for trying to uphold the law. Another supermarket worker, Walker Smith, was recently fired from Waitrose for apprehending a shoplifter attempting to steal Easter candy. These incidents highlight the challenges faced by retail employees in dealing with criminal activity while balancing the need for personal safety.

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