Accused Sausage Thief Threatens Jewel Employee With Box Cutter: Police

OAK LAWN, IL — A Chicago man is accused of displaying a closed box cutter at an employee who confronted him as he was stealing sausage from a supermarket. Anthony Donaldson, 59, is charged with aggravated assault, retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Just before 10:30 p.m. Feb. 12, Oak Lawn police officers were called to Jewel-Osco at 95th Street and Pulaski Road for an “armed subject.” According to the police report, an employee told officers that he observed a man, later identified as Donaldson, stuffing a purple duffle bag with food items. The employee claimed that he recognized Donaldson from previous occasions when he took items from the store, police said.

When Donaldson went to the self-checkout, the employee saw that the duffle bag was now full, police said. The employee told police an argument ensured when he confronted Donaldson. Police said Donaldson would not let the employee check his bag. The employee said he was calling police, Donaldson pulled out a closed box cutter, stating, “I’ll cut you” and waving it around. Police said Donaldson grabbed his duffle bag and left the store when told a second time that officers were on their way.

As an officer interviewed the Jewel employee, a second officer went over to First National Bank in Evergreen Park, where he found Donaldson hiding in some bushes behind the bank, reports said. Donaldson was ordered out of the bushes and placed in handcuffs on suspicion of aggravated assault and retail theft. The officer also found the duffle bag. During a pat down, the officer found the box cutter in Donaldson’s pocket and a glass pipe with suspected crack cocaine residue, reports said. The Jewel employee was escorted to the bank, where police said he positively identified Donaldson.

While being placed under arrest, police said Donaldson complained he was having trouble breathing and experiencing chest pain. The report said he refused to get up off the ground and tried to bury his face in the dirt. Evergreen Park paramedics transported Donaldson to Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Officers interviewed Donaldson after he received medical treatment. Authorities said Donaldson told police that he went to Jewel to steal merchandise but was caught at the self-checkout. He originally denied possessing a box cutter, police said, but later admitted to taking the box cutter out to show to the employee.

Among the store items found in the duffle bag were a jar of Hellman’s mayonnaise, Silver Creek sausage, Vienna BF sausage, summer sausage, Ramen noodles, Rainbow chocolate cookies, and Vienna Polish sausage valued at $43.95. Donaldson is due in court March 7 in Bridgeview.