Atalberto Madrid, 47, died while in custody of guards
MORGAN HILL
Three days after an alleged shoplifter died while in the custody of store security guards, the employer of the guards refuses to comment on the man’s death.
Atalberto Madrid, 47, died following an altercation with security personnel at the East Dunne Avenue Safeway grocery store in Morgan Hill Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
Autopsy results did not reveal a clear cause of death, Swing said, and toxicology results won’t be available for six to eight weeks.
The guards work for Monument Security, an outside security firm that Safeway employs. Repeated calls to Monument Security’s San Jose office were forwarded to CEO Scott McDonald’s voice mail, but McDonald never returned the calls.
Brian Dowling, a Safeway spokesman for Northern California, said he could not comment on whether guards from the security company are used by other Safeways.
The guards were not at work at the store on Wednesday, he said, but he did not know if they had been placed on suspension or leave by Monument Security.
“We’re working cooperatively with local law enforcement concerning the death,” Dowling said.
“We’re not in a position to comment further as this is a law enforcement matter.”
Safeway is also conducting its own investigation of the incident.
“Safeway has rigorous and strict set of policies and procedures related to the proper handling of theft at our stores,” Dowling said.
Monument Security does the training of the guards, not Safeway.
Madrid was caught on store videotape loading up a shopping cart, which was later found outside the store.
The cart, Swing said, contained seven bottles of tequila, five alcohol-related gift sets, a bottle of Jack Daniels whisky, a bottle of Smirnoff vodka, packages of steaks and hamburger patties for a total of $786.84.
Madrid had a felony warrant for commercial burglary from Monterey County, Swing said.
