ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Best Buy has changed its mind on firing one of its Roseville employees who tackled a suspect who was running from deputies, while he was working security outside the store.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for the company said, “We made a decision to terminate our employee for violating our clear policies but have had reason to take another look at what happened. In the end, we understand he made a split-second decision to do what he thought was right and, while we wish he hadn’t put himself or anyone else at risk, we regret our initial decision and will be offering him his job back.”
It happened on Jan. 11. Authorities say they tracked 35-year-old Timothy Trujillo, who was wanted on felony warrants out of Nevada, to the Best Buy in Roseville. Investigators say when deputies approached Trujillo, he punched one of them and took off.
The Best Buy employee, who asked only to be identified by his first name “Tyler”, saw the situation unfolding and tackled Trujillo as he was running away. Two weeks after the incident, Tyler told ABC10 he was fired due to the company’s “zero tolerance” policy on employee involvement with attempting to stop thefts and other illegal events.
Best Buy responded to the story with a statement on their decision to fire Tyler, but just a day later, reversed that decision. It is unclear if Tyler has accepted his old job back.
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When deputies approached, Timothy Trujillo punched one of them in the face and fled on foot to escape. That's when the Best Buy employee, Tyler, sprung into action, tackling the man and holding him down until deputies were able to approach and cuff him. Two weeks later, Tyler says he was fired by Best Buy for breaching company policy.