A purple-haired Instacart driver in Minnesota allegedly drove her car over an elderly couple’s groceries after delivering them and left an expletive-laden note after seeing their sign thanking the police last week, according to law enforcement.
The couple said they had placed an order for delivery from a local Cub Foods in Coon Rapids, a suburb north of Minneapolis, to be delivered on Monday of last week, the Blaine Police Department said.
The suspect, Tara Olivia Plum, 36, allegedly yelled at the couple to check inside of the Christmas wreath on their front door. There they found a vulgar note scrawled on a receipt, written on it, “Instacart doesn’t pay employees, sry find another slave. F— the racist police pigs.”
Plum also called the elderly couple “racist pigs” for honoring those who serve in the police department and aim to protect their community.
Plum reportedly took issue with a yard sign supporting the police. The “Thin Blue Line” flag is viewed by some as a sign of support for law enforcement while others see it as a symbol of white supremacy or a rebuke of the racial justice movement.
The couple has reportedly received a full refund from Instacart. In a statement, the company said it is “appalled by the unacceptable actions of this shopper, who has been removed from the Instacart platform as a result.”
The 36-year-old woman was cited for criminal damage to property and could face 90 days in jail if she is convicted.
A GoFundMe page was set up for the elderly Blaine couple to help them pay for food and medical expenses. According to the page, set up by Amber Gray who identified herself as a relative of the couple, over $13,000 was raised for the Blaine couple.
The page is now closed, but Gray left a heartfelt message to all the people who donated. She said,
“Wow…we are humbled by the overwhelming support and generosity from each one of you. This was completely unexpected and truly a blessing. Thank you doesn’t even begin to describe how grateful we are. At this time, we have decided to close the page, as we no longer feel comfortable accepting more donations. We do know, however, that some of you still wish do contribute. All we ask is that you pay it forward to someone or somewhere in your local community.”
Source: AWM