Last week, I purchased some Pyrex glassware and lids from the Corning Corelle Revere Factory Store…read moreat Round Rock Premium Outlet in Round Rock, Texas.
When I got my receipt, I noticed that I was overcharged on a couple of lids, and asked the cashier to adjust the prices. He told me I had to go to the back of the line so that he could help the other customers first. He kept my receipt and items purchased in the 2 bags behind the register.
After helping the other customers, I went up to the register. Without saying anything, he went to the adjacent register and was preoccupied doing something for several minutes. I went to that register to see what he was doing. He was peeling off the original price tags and replacing them with new price tags. He then smugly handed me the lids saying, "there, now these match your receipt".
I went to a basket next to the original register and picked up two more lids with the lower prices, and said, "then, I'll take these two instead." He then shouted that I could not get those prices. That the prices are going up, and that if I didn't like the price I was charged, then I could return my purchases.
I told him I did not want to return them and that I would like my bags and receipt. He refused to give them to me. I told him I had purchased those items, and that I wanted them now. He again refused to give them to me. He said they were now his.
I went behind the register to get my bags and receipt. He then grabbed my right forearm and twisted it like he was wringing a towel. He also clawed my wrist with his fingernails, which cut my skin (cut was witnessed by the police afterwards).
He then released me and ran to lock the front door, keeping me and two other women hostage in the store.
When a young couple came to the door trying to enter the store, he told them, "sorry, we're closed right now". He then sauntered back to the register to pick up the phone.
Meanwhile, I called 911, who contacted the Round Rock police. I told the dispatcher to please ask them to hurry, as I'm pregnant and am high-risk due to my condition. I was seriously starting to hyperventilate from the anxiety.
A few minutes later, about a dozen police/security officers, some in uniform and some in street clothes, were lined up along the wall of both sides of the store.
I believe the security called the store telling the cashier to open the door. He went to unlock the door, then went outside to talk to the police.
A police officer came inside to let me know that I could now come outside for questioning.
I told the officer what happened.
He then asked the cashier who was standing nearby, "did she purchase those items in the bags?"
The cashier said, "yes".
The officer then asked, "is that her receipt?"
The cashier said, "yes".
The officer then asked, "why didn't you give them to her then?"
The cashier said, "she wanted to return the items".
The officer then asked, "but, did she cancel her return?"
The cashier said, "yes".
The officer then asked, "so those are her purchases and her receipt?"
The cashier said "yes".
After some more questioning, the police officer told me to take photos of my wrist, gave me information about the cashier so that I can press charges, and told the cashier "you cannot lock people in the store. If you feel that you need help, you need to call security, but you cannot lock people inside the store."
Soon afterwards, I went on my way.
The incident was absolutely crazy, and got crazier by the minute!