‘Don’t know why I was singled out’: Ottawa man with hernia accused of shoplifting at Farm Boy

An Ottawa man says he felt embarrassed when a medical issue led to workers at Farm Boy asking him if he stole something. CTV’s Katie Griffin reports.

An Ottawa man is speaking out after what he calls an embarrassing incident at a local grocery store, where a shoplifting accusation compelled him to lift his shirt and reveal the bulge under his clothing was a massive hernia, not an unpaid item.

“I don’t understand it and I don’t know why I was singled out that day,” said Shady Zekry.

Zekry, who has Type 1 diabetes, said he went into the Farm Boy location at Train Yards on Nov. 18 to get a sandwich before driving home from work because his blood sugar was getting low.

He says he paid for it and was stopped by two employees when he went to leave.

“Then it progressed into, ‘Sir, what do you have under your jacket that you didn’t pay for?’ I said nothing,” Zekry recalled.

After repeated attempts to convince the employees he didn’t steal anything, Zekry said he felt he couldn’t leave the store.

“I’m like, ‘I didn’t steal anything guys.’ And I ended up opening up my jacket and literally lifting up [my shirt], exposing my massive hernia that I had,” he said.

Zekry said he’s had six major surgeries in two years. He had surgery to remove the hernia late last month.

After reaching out to Farm Boy, Zekry said he was offered a $300 gift card to the store.

Zekry said that’s not good enough and wants a formal apology in writing and for the Canadian food retailer to update its training.

Farm Boy said it is working to address the “unfortunate situation” directly with Zekry and that at no time did staff request he lift his shirt.

“…His experience did not live up to Farm Boy’s standards and we have reinforced the proper protocols with our store team,” a Farm Boy spokesperson said, adding they’re “working to find a respectful resolution to his concerns. We hope to welcome Mr. Zekry and his family back in our stores soon.”

Zekry said he’s worried about reputational damage and until this incident had enjoyed shopping at Farm Boy regularly.

“I want to work with Farm Boy and whatever they choose to have a look at their programs, to have a look at what they’re doing. I don’t want any other individual to feel the way I feel,” he said.

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