Man Sues Grocery Store After Brutal Beating During Theft Attempt

UPDATE: A man is suing a grocery store after a violent altercation left him with severe injuries while attempting to steal a car. Michael Prince, a chronic offender, claims he was brutally assaulted by staff outside Dino’s Grocery Mart on February 26, 2024, and is seeking damages for life-altering injuries.

The incident unfolded when Prince, armed with a stolen key fob, attempted to steal a vehicle parked outside the store. After triggering the alarm, he alleges that up to nine staff members responded aggressively, “punched, kicked and hit him repeatedly,” even striking him with a hammer, according to court documents filed in the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench.

This shocking attack has left Prince with permanent injuries, including hearing and vision loss, and ongoing psychological trauma. In his lawsuit, he describes a harrowing scene where he lost consciousness and later fled to find himself bleeding and disoriented.

Prince states that the “amount of force used against him was far in excess of what was necessary to execute a citizen’s arrest.” He claims this extreme reaction has resulted in a multitude of personal issues including anxiety, depression, and an inability to maintain employment.

Court records reveal that Prince has a troubling history, with at least 17 prior convictions for theft and property crimes, including high-profile incidents involving stolen merchandise worth over $1 million over a nine-year span. Despite his troubled past, the severity of the injuries he sustained during this incident has raised questions about the limits of self-defense and the responsibilities of store employees in detaining suspected thieves.

While Rajan Varma, the grocery store supervisor, has not been charged in connection with the incident, the public is watching closely as the lawsuit unfolds. Both Varma and Prince’s attorney, Phillip Cramer, declined to comment on the ongoing case.

As this story develops, it raises critical discussions about the balance between preventing theft and ensuring the safety of individuals involved. Prince’s case not only highlights issues surrounding criminal behavior but also the potential consequences of vigilantism in commercial spaces.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for similar incidents in the future. Stay tuned for updates as the court proceedings progress.