Fall River Store Owner Turns Shoplifting Incident Into Teachable Moment

At 7:22 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, a familiar customer walked into Globe Street Convenience in Fall River: a woman with her two kids, regulars at the store.

What happened next left owner Will Rodriguez stunned.

The Moment It All Went Wrong

Instead of picking up their usual snacks, the family began stuffing items into their clothes, grabbing handfuls and hiding them in their pants and sweatshirts.

“I was a little hurt,” Rodriguez said. “They were taking full advantage.”

Despite the clear footage and broken trust, Rodriguez chose not to call the police. Instead, he banned the family from the store and used the moment as a way to reinforce a deeper message.

“I give out free waters all day, or sodas if they can’t afford it,” Rodriguez said. “I’ll tell kids, ‘Hey, get a can of pop if you’re thirsty,’ and I won’t charge them.”

The loss didn’t sting because of the price; it was the principle.

A Store Built on Community

Rodriguez, who grew up in Dartmouth playing sports alongside names like Jordan Todman and Arthur Lynch, said community has always been about support and opportunity.

“I want these kids to have the same kind of experience I had growing up with a sense of camaraderie, future goals, and something to look forward to,” he said.

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Bigger Dreams for the Neighborhood

He's even considering creating a fund to help cover public transportation for students, so they can reliably get to school, sports, and other activities. A project he's piecing together in hopes it comes to fruition one day.

For Rodriguez, running a corner store is more than just stocking shelves full of exotic snacks, it’s about motivating the next generation.

“Knowledge is power,” he said. “And this is how I give back to the community.”

While the shoplifters won’t be allowed back, Rodriguez hopes his choice not to press charges sends a different kind of message: Do better. Be better.

Editor's Note: Because the person depicted in the surveillance footage is not currently being charged with a crime, we have blurred their face.