Security Guard Punched 'Multiple Times' By Shoplifters: Complaint

SHOREWOOD, WI — Two people are accused of punching a security guard outside of Metro Market at 4075 Oakland Avenue on March 8 after the guard asked to see a receipt for their groceries, Shorewood police said in a criminal complaint.

Ashanti Peterson, 19, and Rodney Coleman, 23, both of Milwaukee, were charged with retail theft, battery and disorderly conduct in Milwaukee County Court on March 11 in connection with the accusations, online court records show. They were both charged as a party to a crime.

If convicted, each faces up to $21,000 in fines and up to 21 months imprisonment.

Coleman and Peterson left the store with a cart of groceries and were headed to their car when the security guard asked to see their receipts, the criminal complaint says.

When the two refused to show receipts, the guard grabbed the cart, the complaint says.

The guard told police Peterson then punched them in the face multiple times, the complaint says.

Another security guard tried to pull Peterson off of the victim, when Coleman joined in on the punching, the complaint says.

Receipts for the groceries showed 27 items worth $140 were paid for, and that the cart contained 35 items worth $405, the complaint says.