A Navy veteran and longtime employee of Advance Auto Parts says he was fired after trying to stop a shoplifter—a decision he made based on values the military taught him: loyalty, action, and commitment.
Greg Pinson, who served 24 years in the U.S. Navy, spent another 22 years managing nine different Advance Auto Parts locations. He said his firing shocked him, especially after spending nearly his entire adult life trying to do the right thing.
What Happened at the Houston Store?
The incident happened on April 24, 2025, at the Almeda Genoa location of Advance Auto Parts in southeast Houston, Texas. Video footage shows Pinson trying to prevent a man from leaving the store with merchandise, while another worker calls 911.
Pinson said he believed he was doing the right thing by stepping in. But instead of being thanked, he was fired.
“He said, ‘You’re being fired for basically being rude to a customer,’” Pinson recalled. “I said, ‘Wow. That really hit me in the gut.’”
A Clash Between Policy and Principle
Pinson admits that he may have violated company policy.
“I think I broke store policy. I do,” he said. “As far as stopping the individual from leaving with the items from the store.”
Still, he stood by his actions and said that, when it comes to doing what’s right, he might not act differently in the same situation.
“I can’t say I wouldn’t do it again,” he told Houston’s ABC affiliate, when asked if he had any regrets.
Military Values That Backfired
Pinson joined the Navy at age 18 and spent over two decades living by the values of loyalty, discipline, and duty. After retiring, he carried those same values into his civilian career.
“All I knew since the age of 18 was to be loyal and have commitment,” Pinson said. “That’s how I lived.”
But in this case, his loyalty cost him his job. Despite being a manager with two decades of service to the company, Advance Auto Parts terminated his employment.
Public Reaction: Mixed Opinions on Social Media
The story has sparked heated debate online, with many users defending Pinson and criticizing the company’s decision.
“What a dumb world we live in,” one Facebook user wrote. “The guy was trying to protect the store and got fired. The guy’s a hero. What do you get for being a hero?”
Another added, “They could have written him up, but not fired him after one incident.”
But not everyone agreed.
“He knew the rules plus he knew the danger of trying to stop a thief,” one user commented. “I don’t feel sorry for him.”
Advance Auto Parts Silent
Despite multiple requests from the media, Advance Auto Parts has not provided a comment regarding Pinson’s termination. The Houston Police Department has confirmed that the incident is under investigation, and the store video is being reviewed as part of that process.