Milwaukee man says he was racially profiled, accused of theft while holding his receipt at Home Depot

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Home Depot is apologizing tonight to a Milwaukee man who says he was racially profiled at the store’s Wauwatosa location.

Terrance Westmoreland was trying to make an exchange last week at the customer service desk when he says a security guard grabbed his arm and led him to a back room.

Westmoreland was being accused of stealing, in spite of the fact that he was holding his receipt.

He says the guard wouldn’t even look at the receipt.

“I was completely embarrassed,” Westmoreland said. “I was humiliated. I told the security guard when this is all done and over with, I expect an apology. He told me he doesn’t apologize to thieves.”

Westmoreland was the one who called the police, and once the situation cleared, two Home Depot managers apologized to him.

The company’s also released a statement:

"There was a misunderstanding about Mr. Westmorland's [sic] return. We take these complaints very seriously and would not tolerate profiling. We have measures and training to help avoid that from happening. We're very sorry for any embarrassment this caused Mr. Westmoreland."

“I appreciate their gesture of apologizing, but you apologize when you step on somebody’s feet,” Westmoreland said.

The Wauwatosa Home Depot has had problems with thieves recently.

In the last three months, police have been called 28 times for retail thefts and arrested 23 people.

The Original Black Panthers are calling for a boycott of the store.