Hardware store worker, 83, dies after being knocked over by shoplifter

An 83-year-old hardware store worker from the US has died, weeks after he was tossed to the ground trying to stop shoplifter still on the loose.

Hardware store worker, 83, killed by shoplifter. Picture: Hillsborough Police Department

An 83-year-old hardware store worker from the US has died, weeks after he was tossed to the ground trying to stop a “menace to society” shoplifter still on the loose.

Gary Rasor is seen on surveillance footage stepping up to confront a man wheeling three Ryobi pressure cookers out of a Home Depot store in North Carolina on October 18, only to be shoved to the ground by the crook who then casually strolls away, the New York Post reports.

Rasor was rushed to a nearby hospital in Hillsborough, where he celebrated his 83rd birthday and made hopeful plans to see his new grandchild for the first time, his wife told WNCN.

He died Thursday “due to complications from the injuries received,” Hillsborough cops announced the next day.

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Police have called the suspect a “menace to society.” Picture: Hillsborough Police Department

Gary Rasor was shown confronting the thief who tried to stroll out with three pressure cookers in October. Picture: Hillsborough Police Department

Rasor was rushed to hospital, where he died more than six weeks later. Picture: Hillsborough Police Department

The North Carolina medical examiner has ruled the death a homicide, police said, adding the hunt continues for a suspect they previously branded a “menace to society”.

“It’s just beyond our comprehension that someone would do this for a couple of power washers,” Rasor’s son Jeff Rasor told WNCN.

“That is just mind-boggling,” he said.

Rasor’s widow, Yovone, told the outlet her husband initially remained “upbeat” in the hospital — until he saw footage of the attack.

“He lost it … he just lost it,” she recalled.

“It’s just hard, and I know it sounds silly, but I’m still waiting for him to come back home,” she said through tears Saturday. “I can’t get him back … that’s it.”

“I can’t get him back … that’s it,” Rasor’s grieving widow, Yovone told WNCN. Picture: Hillsborough Police Department

Rasor “just lost it” when he saw the video of his attack, his wife said. Picture: Hillsborough Police Department

Police told the outlet the larceny is now being investigated as a possible homicide.

Meanwhile, police continue their search for the 6-foot-tall (183 cm) suspect, who wore a black mask and black Calvin Klein hoodie, and fled in a white Hyundai Sonata with an obscured temporary North Carolina tag.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission