Newspaper Saves Carpenter Banned from Home Depot for Taking One Pencil

By: E&P Staff Thanks to the daily newspaper in Lawrence, Ma., a local carpenter will not be banned from worldwide Home Depots for life--for absent-mindedly sticking a pencil from one of the stores in his pocket.

Home Depot Inc. has apologized to a carpenter, Michael Panorellis, 51, of Lawrence, who was banned by the chain worldwide after he pocketed a pencil he had used to do some quick math. "We will not be pursuing any claims against Mr. Panorelli for this incident," the statement said. "We welcome Mr. Panorelli back as a customer in our stores at any time."

But Panorelli said he had no intention of doing business there again, adding, "Why should I put money in someone's pocket when they treat me like this?"

Panorelli was accused of shoplifting from the Methuen store last Thursday. He was with a client and had just bought some lumber when the client picked up the pencil sitting next to a cash register for Panorelli to use. Panorelli ended up holding on to the pencil and was met in the parking lot by a worker who asked for identification, then presented him a letter saying he was banned from Home Depot. He gave him another letter advising that he would be hearing from the company's lawyers.

Panorelli took his story to the Eagle-Tribune newspaper in Lawrence, which published it over the weekend.

In response, Atlanta-based Home Depot issued a written apology, saying the incident was prompted by a narrow interpretation of its shoplifting-prevention rules.