Walmart Employee Tragically Struck By Vehicle During Shoplifting Incident In Upstate New York

A 69-year-old Walmart employee has died after he was allegedly struck by a shoplifting suspect fleeing a store in Upstate New York.

A shoplifting incident at an Upstate New York Walmart has ended tragically, as an employee of the Wilton, NY Walmart has died after a suspect allegedly struck him with his vehicle.

Walmart Store

Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesShoplifting Incident at Upstate New York Walmart

Back on October 16th, 2025, the New York State Police (NYSP) reported that Troopers were dispatched to the Walmart in Wilton, NY, for the report of a disturbance. As Troopers made their way to the store, they were advised that two pedestrians had been intentionally struck by a vehicle.

Upon arrival, Troopers began an investigation that revealed a suspect had been stopped by Walmart employees while attempting to leave the store with merchandise he didn’t pay for.

Police said that the suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Timothy W. Besaw, of Gansevoort, NY, dropped some of the merchandise he was allegedly trying to steal but still left the store wearing merchandise he didn’t pay for.

Walmart Parking Lot

Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesShoplifting Suspect Drives Vehicle Into Two People

Once out of the store, Besaw remained in the parking lot and began arguing with a Walmart employee. Soon after, he entered a vehicle and reportedly intentionally drove it into two store employees who were standing near the store’s entrance.

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Police said that Besaw fled the location and was located a short time later by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office after he crashed his vehicle on Perry Road, where he was taken into custody.

He was charged with assault, vehicular assault, petit larceny, driving while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of an accident without reporting. He was arraigned at the Wilton Town Court and sent to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility.

Both employees at the store sustained serious injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Walmart Employee Dies After Shoplifting Incident

Sadly, a few weeks later, on November 3, 2025, the NYSP announced that one of the victims struck by the vehicle, 69-year-old Michael Bushey, of Saratoga Springs, NY, had died at Albany Medical Center.

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