Lakewood Store Employee Hailed For Stopping Theft In Progress

LAKEWOOD, WA — A Lakewood retailer is celebrating one of its employees after she busted a thief has he tried to make off with hundreds of dollars of merchandise.

Iconic Workware in Lakewood says it has suffered a string of recent thefts, totaling about $1,250 in lost merchandise and jackets.

However, they could have lost a lot more, if not for the heroic actions of employee Gaby Gonzalez. In a shocking video shared by the store, Gaby recognizes that something fishy is going on. Owners say you can see as Gaby waits to strike, stopping the would-be thief in his tracks and securing the stolen goods.

Gaby's intervention limited the loss at that store to $350, according to a GoFundMe posted by Dirk Van Velzen.

"What really moves me is the employee with the green hair, Gaby Gonzalez," Van Velzen writes. "She watches like a hunter and springs at just the right moment... almost. One gets away and she stops of dirtbag in his tracks. Outstanding!"

Unfortunately, the thief and his associate hit another iconic Workware store not much later, managing to make off with $900 more in stolen gear. Van Velzen has launched a GoFundMe in the hopes of helping the store recoup the total stolen losses.

"Please join me in supporting our local businesses who have had many challenges over the years and now how to deal with this," Van Velzen said.

>>Find Iconic Workwear's fundraiser at GoFundMe.

Editor's Note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.