Betty Smith, 65, thought it was her lucky day when she found a $50 bill on the floor of the Lindemann Grocery Store in Industry, Austin County, Texas.
However, the store clerk allegedly demanded that Betty give up her findings, and the two women got into a physical altercation.
The elderly lady was happy with her finding
Smith was going to buy her son ice cream and a honeybun in January this year when she found the money on the floor. She was joyful, as she told Fox 26 News: “I told the cashier, look here, my lucky day!”
The clerk was not impressed: “The woman at the counter says, ‘Oh no, you can’t leave with that … that might be my friend’s money. He was in here earlier.'”
The employees locked up Smith
Smith was alone in the store among three workers. When she refused to hand over the money, the store employee told her she could not leave the store.
Talking to the media, Betty said they “went to the door and locked me in.”
What happened next enraged many since the video of the incident showed a female clerk attacking the elderly lady and trying to take away the money.
The incident was caught on video
A male clerk jumped in when Smith tried to defend herself against the female employee. Not only the workers assaulted the woman, but they used slurs to make matters even worse.
Smith said she was terrified of the woman in pink since she was choking her: “I was especially scared of the one in the pink because she had me around my neck and was she strong. She was all in my ear,’ You Black b—-, you not getting out of here.”
Also read: Mom Tapes Sign To Daughter’s Back To Ward Off Backlash
The 65-year-old called her granddaughter for help
At some point, Smith frantically called her granddaughter, Dezteni Cyrus.
Cyrus told the press that she jumped out of the shower to help her grandmother: “I rushed out of the shower and put on a robe. They wouldn’t let her out. She’s a diabetic. I could see where her feet were bothering her…her shoes were across from her…I said, ‘Y’all have to let her out!'”
Cyrus and her mother were arrested
An Austin County Sheriff’s deputy came to the scene after one employee called the police.
Allegedly, Cyrus attacked one of the workers.
Cyrus’ mother was also arrested, though she did not talk to the press. She cited that her job was in jeopardy due to the incident.
Sheriff Jack Brandes issued a statement saying the evidence is being processed to the “Austin County District Attorney for consideration of potential charges against various individuals.”
Three employees were not arrested
The manager of Lindemann’s was not present during the alleged altercations.
However, he and the store owner fired the three employees the following day and apologized to Smith.
Smith said: “They offered to help pay bond money and offered to give me the $50 bill and any support I needed, but I didn’t want it.”
“I feel like when things quiet down, the same thing is going to happen to me again.”
Read Next:
- Bouncer Catches Evil Man Putting Drugs in Young Woman’s Drink and Takes Matters into His Own Hands
- 10 Irresistible Traits That Define a True Manly Man