ewoullard's Blog

On 5/2/2008 I and two co workers were shopping in Old Navy located on 5135 Peachtree Parkway #910, Norcross, GA 30092. We left the store and were immediately stopped by Gwinnett County police officers who told us that we had been identified for shop lifting. There were 6 police officers and 1 Sergeant who searched us outside the store. The store manager and logistics manager took over 30 minutes to come outside without the courtesy of handling this issue in the back office. We were told that a full description of me was given to mall security that later was advised by the logistics manager to call the police. 911 call was dispatched by the logistics manager and mall security who then dispatched Gwinnett County police. It was described that there was "A Gang of 9 Black females in the store trying to steal". This was an exact quote from the logistics manager. The police stopped 3 females including myself and searched out purses and personal possessions. No stolen items were ever taken nor found. The police then began to question the store management for the reason they called to the store for shop lifting. It was noted on more than one occasion from the logistics manager that this could possibly be a mistake because "there were so many Black people in the store earlier that day". The sergeant noted that this was a wrongful attempt to profile 3 African American women who had did nothing wrong. He had instructed the logistics manager that she has falsified a complaint and this was a serious issue. The logistics manager and general manager never offered an apology or the courtesy to handle this issue in private. We were publicly searched, questioned and accused without warrent. This occurred less than 2 miles from our place of employment, where we were observed in the public eye. I have been a card hold member of Gap for more than 7 years and I wish to no longer be associated with this establishment. The sergeant made it clear to press charges due to the nature of this un-ethical profile made by your company staff members. We were given a case # by the police as well as a number to receive the recording of the 911 tape made to the police. This incident occurred at aprox. 1:15pm, and we were not released until almost 2:45pm. My place of employment had to be called and noted that I was be detained by police for shop lifting accusations because I was late coming back to work from a lunch break. I made a call the Gap Headquarters Risk Management team who issued a complaint case number and I would like it noted as a consumer how we were racially profiled by your management staff.