A Kentucky councilwoman said residents must stop stealing if they wish to keep a Kroger location open.
According to WDRB, Louisville Metro Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins (D-1) and another unidentified councilmember sought answers to why a Kroger location in Louisville closed early last Wednesday. Per the station, Kroger apologized in a statement after the store closed, although the company did not provide a reason why the early closure occurred.
Councilwoman Hawkins told WDRB that she met with management at the Kroger location on West Broadway, and confirmed the store would remain open until 9 a.m., going on to say that people needed to stop stealing from the location.
“The [loss] prevention is out the roof,” Councilwoman Hawkins told the station. “We are going to need the community and people that come to this store to try not to take anything from this store.”
A Kroger spokesperson declined to comment on alleged theft from the store, per the outlet.
“We apologize for a service oversight. We have addressed with our team to welcome customers with open doors until 9 p.m. every night,” the spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement to WDRB.
Councilwoman Hawkins told the outlet that other Kroger locations around the city close at 10 p.m., with a few closing at 11 p.m.
“Today we have several community members and programs that will give you access to food so please,” Councilwoman Hawkins told the station. “I’m begging to be here, we cannot go in here and rip this Kroger off.”
A resident said others allegedly chose to steal because no one was watching or because they grew tired of waiting for a register to open.
