California grocery store worker who confronted shoplifter nabbing $500 worth of food is FIRED from her job

A California grocery store worker who was fired for catching a brazen shoplifter nabbing $500 worth of food was unfairly dismissed, a judge has ruled. 

Single mom Antoinette Baez, 38, was left unable to claim employment benefits for almost a year after Safeway let her go for simply performing her duties. 

The moment cashier manager Baez apprehended the thief along with another employee at the San Mateo store in February last year was even caught on surveillance cameras. 

After 22 years working for Safeway, she was fired over the incident in May 2023. She was accused of 'misconduct' meaning she couldn't claim employment benefits. 

California grocery store cashier Antoinette Baez (pictured) who was fired for catching a brazen shoplifter nabbing $500 worth of food was unfairly dismissed, a judge has ruled

After 22 years working for the San Mateo Safeway (pictured), Baez was fired over the incident in May. She was accused of 'misconduct' meaning she couldn't claim employment benefits

The moment Baez (pictured in black) apprehended the bold thief along with another employee at the San Mateo store in February last year was even caught on surveillance cameras

Baez fought her case through the Employment Development Department (EDD) and secured a ruling in her favor this week. 

A judge ruled that she was simply performing her duties, and the decision means she will now be able to claim backdated employment benefits. 

Baez' attorney Neil Eisenberg slammed Safeway for acting as 'an open house for thieves' and lamented the impact their decision has had on his client's life.  

'They would rather let people just steal from the store than have an employee in anyway interfere with the theft so it's basically an open house for thieves,' Eisenberg told KRON4. 

'She's a single mother,' he added. 

'She's had no income and no health benefits for the last year, and she hasn't been able to be employed because her only job experience is being a cashier at Safeway.'

'She was an exemplary employee and they simply kicked her to the curb.'

The surveillance footage shows Baez and a male employee approaching a female customer whose arms were laden with bags containing $500 worth of stolen goods. 

Single mom Baez, 38, was left unable to claim employment benefits for almost a year after Safeway let her go for simply performing her duties

The surveillance footage shows Baez and a male employee approaching a female customer whose arms were laden with bags containing $500 worth of stolen goods

Baez stands between the thief and the doorway, barring her exit, while attempting to seize the bags. 

A tug-of-war between Baez and the customer ensues, while the male Safeway employee holds the thief in place by her shoulder. 

Baez said the interaction came at the end of her shift, when she noticed a woman with a packed shopping cart acting suspiciously beside the self-checkout machines.

She said she asked the customer multiple times whether she needed assistance, but the woman turned her down. 

Baez left the area to clock out - but noticed the suspicious customer attempting to leave without paying just as she was departing herself.  

She radioed the store supervisor, David Arevalos, and they confronted the woman together. The customer tried to punch Baez, she said, which is when Arevalos placed his hand on her shoulder. 

Safeway said the interaction violated their shoplifting policy, which prohibits employees from chasing, touching or pursuing a suspected thief, according to Fox2. 

Baez is planning to file a lawsuit against Safeway seeking punitive damages of up to $1 million for Baez' mistreatment. 

DailyMail.com has contacted Safeway for comment.