To the Editor:

My family and I were enjoying a meal at a local buffet restaurant (on Mothers Day 10 at approximately 3:30 p.m. The restaurant was moderately crowded. We were seated about 15 feet from the cash register area. At one point during our meal we were startled by the sound of breaking glass. A patron was standing in line to pay for her meal and dropped a bag containing a piece of glassware. Of course we all looked over to see what was going on.

She was holding a baby carrier on one arm and her other arm was laden with other items minus the bag which she dropped. There was some conversation among her party and other people waiting to pay their check. She nonchalantly stated: “I will just take it back to Burke’s and tell them it was broken when I bought it and get another one.”  

I was shocked. Did I hear her correctly? She was going to return to the store and ask them to exchange something she carelessly broke long after the purchase? What a thief.

I immediately excused myself from my table, called 411 to get the phone number and phoned Burke’s Outlet to warn them of their impending deception. I explained to the manager the sequence of events and to expect a visit by this thief. After we finished our meal and headed back home, I called Burke’s again and the manager confirmed she was visited by the thief. She said the thief was acting nervous and after concluding her deceit was discovered stated, “I must have gotten it at Walmart” and departed the store. 

People wonder why things cost so much. Not only do we have to pay for the cost of development, manufacturing, distribution and selling we now have to pay for theft. This is common theft at its best.

Madam, my hope for you is you fall to your knees and beg your God to forgive you. Then call the store and ask them to forgive you too. 

Douglas Turner

Clyde