Safeway Employee Slashed With Axe While Confronting Shoplifter

Incident at Washington Safeway

WASHINGTON — A routine confrontation over stolen groceries turned violent late Friday night when a Safeway employee was slashed with an axe while attempting to stop a suspected shoplifter.

According to police, Andrew Spielman entered the Safeway located along Piney Branch Road shortly before 10 p.m. Witnesses say he began filling a backpack with multiple grocery items before an employee intervened.

Confrontation Turns Violent

The encounter quickly escalated. A police report details that after the employee confronted Spielman, an argument broke out, followed by a physical struggle.

At that point, Spielman allegedly pulled out an axe and struck the employee, causing serious injuries. The victim was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials have not yet released the employee’s name, but confirmed they are expected to recover.

Attempted Escape and Arrest

After the attack, Spielman attempted to leave the store with the stolen items. Police officers responding to the scene were able to stop him outside the Safeway and place him under arrest.

Authorities say the stolen goods included ice cream, lemon bread, brisket, round roast, milk, and other groceries, with a total value exceeding $100.

The axe used in the assault was also recovered as evidence.

Charges Filed

Spielman now faces multiple charges, including:

Assault with a deadly weapon
Shoplifting

Investigators are working to determine whether additional charges will be added as the case proceeds.

Community Concerns

The violent nature of the incident has raised concerns among residents and employees in the area. Safeway staff and community members expressed shock that a dispute over groceries could escalate into such a dangerous situation.

Local authorities emphasized that while shoplifting cases are not uncommon, attacks of this severity are rare. Police also reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat following Spielman’s arrest.

Next Steps in the Case

Spielman is being held pending a court appearance, where prosecutors will present the charges. If convicted, he faces significant prison time due to the seriousness of the assault charge.

Meanwhile, the Safeway employee continues to recover in the hospital. Co-workers have reportedly rallied around the victim, calling the individual a dedicated and well-liked member of the store’s staff.

Police Statement

In a statement, police urged community members to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior, while reminding the public that employees should not be expected to risk their lives when confronting shoplifting suspects.

“This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have been far worse,” a spokesperson said. “We are grateful for the quick response of our officers, which prevented the suspect from fleeing or causing further harm.”