Business Owner Hopes For Change After Posting Video Of His Attack Online
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Attacked in his own business -- a Dallas man says he was just trying to take a stand against those taking advantage of him.
If you pay to use certain washing machines at the Speed Wash & Dry you get to use clothes dryers in the back for free. But some people haven't been adhering to policy. The laundromat owner, Majid Haerinejad, has been cracking down on people who bring in bags of wet clothes to take advantage of the dryers.
Haerinejad never thought a confrontation would turn physical. Grasping a broom, the owner of the east Dallas laundromat recently fended off an attack.
With cameras rolling a teen pushes a cart into him, while another throws an object at him. Speaking of the attackers, Haerinejad said, "What they did… they threatened my customers and my store."
The confrontation began when Haerinejad approached a woman holding an infant. He says she had loaded up several free dryers, without paying a dime.
Haerinejad said, "The teenagers started taking their shirts off and throwing punches at me. I felt very threatened and had nothing to defend myself."
The business owner, who is now walking with a limp, said he was trying to call 911 when the family converged on him again – this time forcing him to the back of the store.
Surveillance video shows a mother move her child out of harm's way.
The group walks out as soon as one woman retrieves her clothes. But individuals did turn to pelt Haerinejad with candy when he tried to snap a picture of their license plate.
The incident has haunted Haerinejad. "For two months I agonized over this and I finally decided that I have to do something."
That "something" was posting video of his assault on Facebook in hopes of brining attention to what is happening in the community. "I'm trying to run a good business in a neighborhood that needs a lot of help."
Haerinejad says his message is simple: violence like he experienced shouldn't be tolerated.
The attack happened in February and Haerinejad says Dallas police did respond. So far, despite the video having been posted, there has been no progress on the case.
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