Lucky Moose Owner Gets His Day In Court
Posted October 22, 2009 8:07 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The owner of the Lucky Moose Food Mart got his day in court on Thursday.
David Chen (pictured) was accused of kidnapping after he allegedly detained a shoplifter in May.
Anthony Bennett was caught on the shop’s surveillance video stealing $50 worth of plants. When the thief returned an hour later, Chen and two employees allegedly chased him down, tied him up and put him in a delivery truck. All three were arrested and charged.
Chen says he simply wanted to hold Bennett until police arrived.
“I got him. He punched me, so I [couldn’t] hold him. So I [found] string to tie his hands and feet. I wanted him charged,” Chen explained through a translator.
“I’m anxious and nervous.”
Bennett served only 30 days in jail in exchange for testifying against Chen. The Crown had asked for a sentence of 90 days.
Chen will answer to charges of kidnapping, forcible confinement, assault and carrying a concealed weapon. His lawyer is asking for the charges to be dropped.
“Some of the charges are patently ridiculous. Carrying a concealed weapon is for carrying a box cutter, which a shopowner has to open boxes,” Peter Lindsay said outside the court.
“[Bennett] received no significant injuries at all, and he was restrained for about three or four minutes. That’s not remotely criminal.”
Chen will be back in court on November 3.
