ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky., Oct. 10 (UPI) -- A Kentucky woman said she was fired from her job of 18 years at Lowe's because she violated a company policy by pursuing a shoplifter.

Karen Sizemore said she was working as a clerk at the Lowe's store in Elizabethtown when she spotted a man, later identified as Kyle Heim, trying to flee the store without paying for a Dewalt tool kit priced at nearly $600, WLKY-TV, Louisville, Ky., reported Thursday.


Sizemore said the shoplifter made her so angry she decided to give chase.

"It was just the adrenaline rush. I'm not taking it any more. You just get to the point where you're so tired of people stealing from you," she said.

Sizemore said she was not able to grab the toolkit from the thief's back seat before he drove off, but she was able to take down some valuable information.

"We did get his license plate number, that's how we caught him. He's in jail," Sizemore said.

Sizemore said her actions impressed her co-workers.

"They were calling me Rambo, Wonder Woman," she said.

However, the worker said she was shocked to find herself fired halfway through her shift Tuesday.

"Their explanation was I put myself and other people in danger and they fired me," Sizemore said.

"Eighteen years with this company, for chasing a shoplifter. This is the thanks I get?" Sizemore said.

Lowe's released a statement about the incident.

"Our policies are in place for the safety of our workers. We have very specific guidelines when it comes to handling potential shoplifters, to ensure the well-being of not only our team but our customers," the company said.

Sizemore said she is considering hiring a lawyer to help her get her job back.