MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A shoplifter stabbed two workers Wednesday at a Publix store in Miami Beach, police said.
Ernesto Rodriguez, a spokesman for the Miami Beach Police Department, said the workers were attacked after they confronted the man about 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the store in the 6800 block of Collins Avenue.
A nearby off-duty police officer was able to intervene and subdue the man, identified by police as Matthew Miller.
Miller, 43, was arrested and faces charges of aggravated battery, armed robbery and retail theft.
The store manager, Joseph Remy, was stabbed in the torso, Rodriguez said. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
The other victim, Alex Felizor, who works in the meat department and who witnessed the shoplifting, was cut on one of his knees and was treated at Aventura Hospital.
Police said both men are expected to recover and were released from the hospitals by Thursday.
Nicole Krauss, a spokeswoman for Publix, confirmed the attack, but said the affect on the store was minimal.
"The safety of our associates and customers is paramount, and we are working closely with the Miami Beach Police Department as they continue their investigation," Krauss said.
According to an arrest report, Miller had stolen a $7.99 chicken Caesar salad from the grocery store.
He faces multiple charges, including armed robbery, aggravated battery, retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Miller appeared in court Thursday, where Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer ordered that he be held in jail without bond.
"Do whatever you need to do and let me get back to my cell," Miller told Glazer.
Miller is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.