person shoplifting in grocery store produce section
Jade Small
Jade Small
February 17, 2024 ·  3 min read

Old woman caught stealing groceries: “Don’t tell my grandchildren.” 

Inflation is affected many around the world. With rising fuel and food prices, and a lack of jobs, it is no wonder that people are resorting to unconventional methods of supporting their families. One Italian grandmother was caught shoplifting food at a grocery store. But, when the shop owner found out the reason behind the theft, he felt empathetic to her cause. 

Shoplifting to support your loved ones

In Via Casilini in Italy, an elderly woman has been financially struggling. She was well-known in the area and happened to shop frequently at this particular grocery store. One day, she walked into the shop, which had about ten customers as well as five employees.

Grocery store
Image credit: pexels

Once inside, she went straight for the bakery section, where she asked for half a loaf of bread. She then moved on to the deli section, asking for some mortadella. This is a kind of luncheon meat made from sliced or ground pork that is heat-cured. Next, she started meandering around, walking up and down the aisles and examining the items waiting to be bought. In the tinned foods section, she took a can of tuna.

Normally what people would do is walk over to the teller or self-service counters and pay for the items they have in their baskets. But, this grandmother realized she barely had enough for the bread, let alone the mortadella and tuna. Desperation sunk in, and she knew she had to feed her grandchildren somehow. So, she looked around to see if anyone was watching and put the times inside her large purse. She had never been one for shoplifting, but this was difficult for her family.

Read: High School Opens Student-Run Grocery Store For Struggling Local Families

Image credit: pexels

Poverty makes people desperate

The grandmother took a few deep breaths to ready herself and walked towards the exit. But alas, the security at the door stopped her, and her heart sank. The man asked her to empty her purse, or they would call the police to deal with her. The grandmother was reluctant to open her bag at first, but then she realized it was a lost cause. She showed the security guard the items she had not paid for and begged him not to call the police. “Don’t tell the police,” she begged. “I don’t want my grandchildren to know that their grandmother is a thief.”

The shoplifting grandmother broke down and told the security man her story. She was 82 years old with four children. Normally, they would support her, but none were in the position to do so. Furthermore, she has eight grandchildren, all of whom are hungry. She was retired and living on a pension of a few hundred euros each month. This was barely enough for her to make ends meet, let alone support her family. The store manager, Francesco Sciucco, was informed of the situation and called the police without knowing her story.

Image credit: Pexels

Empathy for shoplifting

When Francesco came over, he looked at the shoplifting grandmother and realized she could be his mother. He then decided against his former judgment and called the police to tell them it was a false alarm. “I thought she could be my mother,” said Francesco. “I called 112 again, saying everything was fine.”

Next, the manager surprised the grandmother by giving her everything she was trying to shoplift. “I then decided to give her what she had taken,” he said. “I don’t feel like a hero and I don’t like appearing [as one] as I have always worked with sacrifice and honesty and when I can, I try to help others.”

Keep Reading: Rich Old Man Dresses as Homeless and Visits Huge Grocery Store to Determine His Heir

Sources

  1. Elderly woman steals from the supermarket: “Don’t tell my grandchildren”, the director gives her the shopping. Il Messagero. October 30 2022.
  2. Old woman caught stealing groceries: “Don’t tell my grandchildren.” The shop gives it to her. Il Messaggero. October 30 2022.