Two suits filed against Wal-Mart for wrongful detainment

CHARLESTON -- Three individuals have sued Wal-Mart and a few of its employees for wrongful detainment.

Terry Lee Cook and Shelly Louise Cook filed one suit in Kanawha Circuit Court on Jan. 8, naming Wal-Mart and employees Rudy Anthony and John Doe as defendants.

Sharon Thomas, as guardian for Gregory Lee Bennett, a protected person, filed a similar suit the same day.

In their complaint, the Cooks say they were wrongfully detained and questioned as a result of a Wal-Mart employee's misconduct. The Cooks claim they were shopping at the Wal-Mart on Corridor G at South Ridge in South Charleston on Jan. 16, 2013, when the incident occured.

Allegedly, the Cooks paid for their items and were walking to their car when the defendant Anthony, a Wal-Mart employee, chased them down, yelled profanities at them and accused them of stealing. The Cooks say the police were called and they were detained for more than an hour before being exonerated by police.

In her complaint, Thomas makes similar claims regarding Bennett.

The plaintiffs claim they have been emotionally and and physically injured and seek damages from the named defendants.

All of the plaintiffs are seeking an undisclosed amount in damages. They all are being represented by attorney Michael J. Del Giudice.

Kanawha Circuit Court Cases No. 14-C-32 (Cook) and 14-C-33 (Thomas, Bennett)