New York City Police are investigating after a homeless man died after being restrained for allegedly shoplifting at a Stop & Shop in Brooklyn.
Ralph Nimmons, 51, was accused by workers of stealing from the store. Three employees approached him at the store on Flatbush and Tilden Avenues on Saturday morning and tried to restrain him until police arrived. At one point, at least one of the workers reportedly sat on top of Nimmons.
"It's ridiculous. I mean I don't know anything about it. I just don't feel like protocols that people take are right. There's other ways you can do things in life," one shopper told WOR's Alice Stockton-Rossini.
When police arrived, Nimmons was unresponsive. CPR was unsuccessful and he was later pronounced dead.
Shoppers said he would frequently hang around the store asking for change.
“We are saddened by the death that occurred at our Flatbush Avenue store on Saturday morning. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family,” Stop & Shop said in a statement.
The store said it is cooperating with law enforcement.
The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. No charges have been filed.
"I mean it's happening. It's been happening. People dying and they sat on him. I'm surprised but I'm not surprised. It's just like the same story every month. It's just like they hear what's happening and then you sit on him and you hear about Eric Garner and all these people and you sit on him too. What are you thinking," one woman said.
Photo Credit: Alice Stockton-Rossini