How’s this for awkward? Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker says he was accused of shoplifting and was publicly frisked inside a Manhattan deli earlier this month.

The Last King of Scotland star, in town to film Black Nativity, was about to leave the Milano Market on Broadway when one of the workers allegedly saw him take an item from a shelf, spywitnesses tell The New York Post. The worker reportedly stopped Whitaker, 51, and gave him a patdown right there in the middle of the store! No stolen items were found.

Whitaker’s driver, Reggie Crupe, says he saw an employee come out of the store and apologize to Whitaker. The employee offered Whitaker free food as part of his apology.

“He told Mr. Whitaker that the cameras in the store were at a bad angle and that he could not see if Forest had stolen anything.”

Whitaker’s spokesman said the incident violated the actor’s rights and left him upset.

“This was an upsetting incident given the fact that Forest did nothing more than walk into the deli. What is most unfortunate about this situation is the inappropriate way store employees are treating patrons of their establishment. Frisking individuals without proof/evidence is a violation of rights.”

Why didn’t Forest file an official complaint?

“Forest did not call the authorities at the request of the worker, who was in fear of losing his employment. Forest asked that, in the future, the store change their behavior and treat the public in a fair and just manner.”

Employees at Milano Market claim to have no knowledge of the incident.

Written by Castina on February 17th, 2013 | Tagged as: Popular Culture