What started as a suspicious theft call at Kroger ended with a warning—and a reminder that grocery store electric scooters aren’t meant for joyrides or parking-lot adventures.
Around 6 p.m., officers were called to Kroger on Gay Street after employees reported a man and woman, both wearing blue sweats, attempting to take an electric shopping scooter out of the store’s lot. Employees said the pair was seen heading in the direction of Tracey Park.
Officers located the two near the former Staker’s Drug Store and stopped them. The pair told police they were not trying to steal the scooter, claiming they were waiting on a ride to pick up groceries.
Officers advised them that the scooter needed to remain close to the store. Kroger employees also reiterated that instruction. No charges were filed, and the situation was resolved without further incident.
Why Store Scooters Can’t Leave the Property
Electric shopping scooters are provided by grocery stores as an accessibility aid, not a convenience vehicle. Most stores—including Kroger—have clear rules:
- Scooters are for in-store use only
- They are not permitted off the property
- Removing them from the lot can be considered theft or unauthorized use
- Many scooters are tracked or automatically shut down when taken too far
When scooters are removed, they’re unavailable to customers who truly need them—often seniors or people with disabilities.
A Small Incident With a Bigger Lesson
While this call ended with a warning, police say similar situations can quickly turn into criminal charges if a scooter is damaged, abandoned, or intentionally taken off-site.
Officers cleared the call after ensuring the scooter was returned closer to the store, reminding everyone involved that store-provided equipment comes with rules—and pushing it down the road isn’t one of the options.