Forest Whitaker frisked in NYC deli, accused of shoplifting

Deli apologizes to Forest Whitaker for pat down

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Actor Forest Whitaker arrives at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to present the festival's American Riviera Award to actress Sandra Bullock in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant) Actor Forest Whitaker arrives at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to present the festival's American Riviera Award to actress Sandra Bullock in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant)
NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -

A representative for the Manhattan deli where Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker was frisked for allegedly shoplifting says "management deeply regrets" the incident, reported TMZ.com.

Whitaker was about to leave the Milano Market on 2892 Broadway on Friday when one of the workers there stopped Whitaker claiming he saw him steal an item from a store shelf.

The worker then allegedly gave him a humiliating pat down in front of everyone in the store.

No stolen items were found and Whitaker left the store, but his spokeswoman said the incident violated the actor's rights.

"While we can not delve into the employee's mindset, we do not believe that he was racially motivated in his actions, simply misguided," the rep tells TMZ.com. The worker was fired, according to the celebrity news website.

Whitaker is in town filming "Black Nativity" with Jennifer Hudson.  

 Store employees have denied the incident took place, according to the New York Post.

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