A Jamaican-American musician has criticized Culture Kings after he was singled out instead of another group when a security alarm went off, forcing the retail chain to apologize.
Kiel Hoilett-Riley, known as Kilo, visited the Culture Kings streetwear store on Hosier Lane in Melbourne earlier this year and captured the incident on video.
Just seconds after entering, Hoilett-Riley saw a group of three men activate the security alarm as they exited Culture Kings’ security doors.
He stepped aside to let an employee speak to the group. However, the employee said “all of you” and gestured for the group, along with Mr. Hoilett-Riley and his friend, to return through the doors.
A Jamaican-American tourist called Culture Kings after he was singled out instead of another group when a security alarm was activated.
“I literally went in and out,” Hoilett-Riley told the worker. She replied, “The more you argue with me, the more I think it will be you.” If you just want to walk through (the doors), that’s all I need from you.”
Mr Hoilett-Riley walked through the door at the same time as a member of the other group activated the alarm. ‘Well look at that, the alarm sounded,’ said the worker.
He then told the group of three men they were “ready to go” and asked Mr Hoilett-Riley to empty his bag for inspection.
After searching the bag and finding no stolen items, the worker scolded Mr Hoilett-Riley for “throwing words” and called for another worker to join her at the door.
When Mr Hoilett-Riley and his friend tried to leave, the worker blocked them and asked them to unbutton his jacket.
‘Why are you arguing with me if you didn’t (take anything)? Just cooperate, that’s all I need,” the worker said.
“I just walked into the store,” Mr Hoilett-Riley told him.
After compliance, no stolen items were found.
Kiel Hoilett-Riley, known as Kilo, visited the Culture Kings store, where he was flagged when a security alarm went off.
Kiel calls the kings of culture
He told Daily Mail Australia that the situation left him so shaken that “his mind went blank.”
“I complied with their requests, and that’s what pushed me even more,” Hoilett-Riley said.
Kiel (pictured) said Culture Kings’ apology is not enough
‘I don’t really need to steal anything.
“When everyone else is released, your mind starts to wonder why.”
‘I feel like I am psychologically damaged by this experience because how could something so critical happen to me? In Australia? Of all places?’
He told Daily Mail Australia he has been “quite depressed since the incident”.
“I didn’t expect this from Australia,” he said.
‘This never happened to me in the United States. So, traveling away from there where you feel like things wouldn’t be so bad is shocking.
‘Culture Kings reached out and sent one of those copy-and-paste apology notes, and that shit isn’t enough.
Culture Kings is a popular streetwear and lifestyle retailer with stores throughout Australia.
Kings of Culture respond
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Culture Kings ANZ president Ian Everest said he was “aware of the incident”.
“We sincerely apologize for the frustration this caused our customers,” he said.
‘Culture Kings is committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for all our clients; It is never our intention to make customers feel unsafe in our spaces.
“In light of this incident, our staff is receiving additional training so we can continue to cultivate a positive in-store experience.”