Meijer Faces Backlash After Arresting Young Employee for $110 Food Theft: A Case of Corporate Overreach?
In March 2024, a Meijer supermarket in Seven Hills, Ohio, became the center of a national controversy when police bodycam footage surfaced showing the arrest of James Denison, a 19-year-old deli worker, for allegedly stealing $110 worth of food over three months.
The incident, which gained traction in August 2025 after the footage went viral, has sparked widespread outrage, calls for a boycott, and a heated debate about corporate compassion versus accountability.
The case raises questions about how companies handle minor employee misconduct, especially when the employee may have special needs.
The Incident: What Happened?
On March 7, 2024, Seven Hills police were called to the Meijer store on Broadview Road following a report of employee theft. According to the store manager, James Denison, who worked in the deli department, had been taking small amounts of food—primarily fruit cups and chicken—during his breaks without paying. The total value of the stolen items was approximately $110, accumulated over three months, averaging about $1 per day.
The bodycam footage, which surfaced on social media platforms like TikTok, X, and YouTube, shows a visibly nervous Denison in the manager’s office as the manager explains the situation to an officer. Denison was searched, handcuffed, and taken to the local precinct, where he was booked for petty theft, a misdemeanor under Ohio law for theft under $1,000. He was released without bond.
Denison admitted to taking the food, explaining that it began when he forgot his wallet and intended to pay later. He claimed that long checkout lines and pressure from managers about taking breaks that were too long led him to delay payment, which he then forgot to follow through on.
“It started off slow. It happened a couple of times because, like, I forgot my wallet or something, and then I meant to pay it,” Denison said in the footage. He also noted that he walked to work daily, highlighting his reliance on the job.
Allegations of Disability and Public Outrage
The case gained significant attention due to claims that Denison is autistic or has a learning disability. While some sources, including a now-deleted GoFundMe page and social media posts, describe him as a “special needs” or “disabled” teenager, these details remain unverified by official statements from Meijer or the Seven Hills Police Department.
Some reports incorrectly cited Denison’s age as 16, but most sources, including The New York Post and MLive, confirm he was 19 at the time of the incident. The discrepancy in age and lack of confirmed evidence about his disability have fueled speculation, but the narrative of a vulnerable young worker facing harsh consequences has resonated widely.
The viral footage, which amassed over 8 million views on platforms like X, sparked outrage when it was shared in August 2025. Social media users criticized Meijer for what they perceived as a heartless response. Many pointed out that the company, valued at $15 billion, could have handled the situation internally rather than involving law enforcement.
Posts on X highlighted the manager’s decision to monitor Denison’s actions for months, waiting until the theft reached a threshold to justify charges, rather than issuing a warning or termination earlier. One user wrote, “A $15B corporation had a 16-year-old disabled deli worker arrested for taking $110 in food over 3 months. Instead of offering help, they watched & waited 3 MONTHS?” Others claimed the food was expired or discarded, though this remains unconfirmed.
Meijer’s Response and Corporate Policy
Meijer issued a statement on August 20, 2025, acknowledging the incident and admitting that “the situation should have been handled differently.” The company claimed to have revised its policies but provided no specifics. A Meijer spokesperson previously told Inc. magazine that an investigation confirmed Denison “knowingly committed multiple thefts over multiple months, totaling hundreds of dollars,” though most reports cite the $110 figure. Critics argue that Meijer’s decision to involve police over a relatively small amount reflects a lack of compassion, especially given Denison’s explanation and potential vulnerabilities.
Retail experts note that employee theft, or “shrinkage,” costs U.S. businesses $50 billion annually. However, progressive discipline—such as warnings or termination—is often recommended for minor infractions, especially for young or vulnerable employees. Meijer’s choice to pursue legal action rather than internal measures has been criticized as vindictive, particularly in light of the company’s public commitment to hunger relief and community support.
Public Reaction and Boycott Calls
The hashtag #BoycottMeijer trended on X, with users like @Rightanglenews and @SocialTerri calling for action against the retailer. A GoFundMe campaign, launched by Florida nurse Kerry Campbell to cover Denison’s legal fees and living expenses, raised $28,000 before being deleted for unknown reasons. The campaign described Denison as a special needs teenager who walked to work, amplifying public sympathy. Social media sentiment framed the incident as a “David vs. Goliath” story, with many arguing that Meijer prioritized policy over humanity.
However, some defended Meijer, arguing that theft, regardless of amount or intent, violates company policy and the law. One X user noted, “Stealing is stealing. He knew the rules and signed a handbook.” Others emphasized that Meijer’s zero-tolerance policy is standard in retail to deter widespread theft.