2008 Woodie Awards
International student frisked at Schnucks
By: Nikole Brown
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: News
International student Abdoulaye Zorome went to the local Schnucks store Oct. 13 to do his weekly shopping - and ended up being searched and questioned for theft.
Zorome, of Burkina Faso, was accused of theft and said he was searched at the Schnucks grocery store on Big Bend Boulevard in Webster Groves while wearing a boubou - a traditional wide-sleeved robe from West Africa. No merchandise was found in his pockets or on his person, and when they realized their mistake the managers tried to offer him coupons as consolation.
"We do not search or stop customers without proof," said store manager Lauren Foster.
Zorome was completing his weekly shopping when he was instructed by a Schnucks security guard and customer service manager Cindy Joseph to come with them. He thought at first it was an immigration issue, but Zorome said he was not worried since his residency is legal.
He said he was taken by security to a room and was told another customer saw him stealing items.
Zorome said he was not asked or checked before security accused him of the crime and threatened to search him. He said he allowed this and even removed the top cloak of his garment for further examination.
After Zorome was proven innocent, the merchandising manager called in Foster. He said she offered him coupons, and when he refused she stuffed them in his shirt pocket and said, "I'll make you take it."
After Zorome left the store, he wrote a letter to the manager of Schnucks and the following Monday on Oct. 15 returned to the store to deliver his letter and return the coupons. Zorome also expressed his worries to Director of International Student Affairs Wenceslaus P'Oryem.
P'Oryem said this is the first time he has heard of an international student being singled out. He presumed it might have been because of Zorome's outfit, but he said it should have never been an issue.
"They have the alarms and security, just someone rushed to a judgment," P'Oryem said.
Zorome, of Burkina Faso, was accused of theft and said he was searched at the Schnucks grocery store on Big Bend Boulevard in Webster Groves while wearing a boubou - a traditional wide-sleeved robe from West Africa. No merchandise was found in his pockets or on his person, and when they realized their mistake the managers tried to offer him coupons as consolation.
"We do not search or stop customers without proof," said store manager Lauren Foster.
Zorome was completing his weekly shopping when he was instructed by a Schnucks security guard and customer service manager Cindy Joseph to come with them. He thought at first it was an immigration issue, but Zorome said he was not worried since his residency is legal.
He said he was taken by security to a room and was told another customer saw him stealing items.
Zorome said he was not asked or checked before security accused him of the crime and threatened to search him. He said he allowed this and even removed the top cloak of his garment for further examination.
After Zorome was proven innocent, the merchandising manager called in Foster. He said she offered him coupons, and when he refused she stuffed them in his shirt pocket and said, "I'll make you take it."
After Zorome left the store, he wrote a letter to the manager of Schnucks and the following Monday on Oct. 15 returned to the store to deliver his letter and return the coupons. Zorome also expressed his worries to Director of International Student Affairs Wenceslaus P'Oryem.
P'Oryem said this is the first time he has heard of an international student being singled out. He presumed it might have been because of Zorome's outfit, but he said it should have never been an issue.
"They have the alarms and security, just someone rushed to a judgment," P'Oryem said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
Pamela Adie
posted 11/01/07 @ 2:41 PM CST
This is absolutely unacceptable to the International community in Webster University. This goes against all the Values of the American culture and goes to prove that the era of racism is not over. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 11/03/07 @ 5:49 PM CST
Seriously people, this is not a big deal. You are reading into this way too much. Did you notice the sentence that a customer claimed to *see* the person stealing something, told a worker of schnucks, who in turn told the security? This is not a racist search. (Continued…)
John G
posted 11/09/07 @ 11:44 AM CST
It is unfortunate and quite disturbing that Abdoulaye Zorome was accused and searched on the basis of a third party observation. I would hope that the person who reported this was contacted and advised that their false accusation initiated an illegal search. (Continued…)
Brian Mueller
posted 11/15/07 @ 8:51 AM CST
Anonymous,
I've worked for various retailers and the one thing, above all, that was stressed to me what that I was not to accuse anyone of anything unless *I* saw the action firsthand. (Continued…)
senoumou keita
posted 9/07/08 @ 3:08 AM CST
The store manager is right to call for an inspection, but the person to be blamed is the one who reported the false accusation. Zorome should look for a lawyer and imprisoned the the false reporter. (Continued…)
Senoumou Keita
posted 11/01/08 @ 6:33 AM CST
Hell, no! who says this is not racism? If you have not experienced racism yet, you should let those who experienced it judge it. This is racism. Zorome is my best friend, we share many things together. (Continued…)
Laura Allender
posted 11/06/08 @ 11:56 PM CST
Of course it is racism. Those who have not experienced this do not understand it. As a caucasian who spent 3 years living in Japan, I can speak to this. (Continued…)
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