Horace Fisher, Star Writer

The owner of Taits Pharmacy in May Pen, Clarendon, businessman Micheal McLaren, was yesterday left with a number of injuries after confronting a suspected shoplifter in his business place.

McLaren, chairman of the May Pen Business Watch, said he was observing closed-circuit television security cameras, when he observed a known shoplifter removing facial products from a shelf.

He accosted the man, who became boisterous and engaged him in a tussle that left him with a busted mouth, injured fingers and a bruised knee.

"I was in my office and I saw him on the camera as he came into the store and began pocketing facial products. I went into the store and confronted him, he as usual became boisterous and we got into a tussle. as you can see, he ended up bursting my mouth, injuring my fingers and knee," the businessman explained.

Some customers intervened and helped to apprehend the man, before the police came and arrested him," McLaren added, lamenting his frustration with shoplifters who prey on his business.

"I don't know if it is the hardship of the economy why people have become so vicious. That particular one has been abusing the staff and taking up stuff from the store for the longest while!" the frustrated businessman exclaimed.

Up to to late yesterday, the May Pen police were unable to say if the man had been charged.