San Francisco Walgreens store manager convicted of assaulting shoplifter

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A Walgreens store manager was convicted of assaulting a shoplifter who stole shampoo in San Francisco, the district attorney’s office said.

Following a trial, jurors found the Walgreens manager, 46-year-old Guang Hong, guilty for a violent March 19 incident at the store.

San Francisco shop owners have struggled to deter and thwart shoplifters in recent years. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Monday, “Although I understand the frustration and anger in the community, violence is unacceptable and only makes matters worse.”

The shoplifter, 30-year-old Larry Whitlock, walked into the store before 5 a.m. and stole one bottle of shampoo. “As he was leaving, the security guard alerted Mr. Hong, the Walgreens manager, of the theft,” the DA’s Office wrote.

Hong recovered the stolen shampoo bottle and Whitlock left the Walgreens, located at 498 Castro Street, according to prosecutors. About a minute later, Hong noticed that the shoplifter was still outside of the store.

Hong placed his keys between his knuckles and punched the shoplifter in the face while shouting at him, prosecutors said.

“Mr. Hong then punched the victim two more times with his keys in his hand and kicked the victim as he fell to the ground,” the DA’s Office wrote.

Whitlock was charged with petty theft and battery. Hong was charged with assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury.

Assistant District Attorney Max Draskovich said, “Store theft is an important issue, but it does not justify an assault that goes beyond self-defense. Mr. Hong’s response went far beyond self-defense, and we are thankful that the jury rightly held him accountable. Justice means upholding the law for everyone, on both sides of the incident.”

Hong, who is currently out of custody, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15.