US Shock: 2nd Indian Woman Caught Shoplifting at Target Store – Staff Claim ‘She’s a Regular Here
Another Indian woman caught shoplifting at a Target store in the US. Staff allege she’s a regular offender as retail theft cases continue to rise nationwide
An Indian woman has been caught red-handed for shoplifting at a Target store in the US. Bodycam footage of the police officer arresting her, which allegedly dates back to January this year, is now viral, and it shows the woman crying and hyperventilating as she is questioned by police officers inside the store. This comes after another Indian woman went viral and made headlines after she was caught shoplifting items worth more than Rs 1 lakh from a Target store in Illinois in July.
In the recent video, posted by a YouTube channel, the woman is seen apologising repeatedly and promising not to repeat the act. She gasps for breath throughout the interrogation, prompting officers to ask if she needs medical help. When asked whether English is her first language, she says her native language is Gujarati, spoken in India. She declines the offer of an interpreter.
The footage also shows a Target staff member presenting CCTV evidence to the police, which captures the woman walking past the store exit with a cart full of unpaid items. “So she just put everything in the cart and then just walked past…” one officer says, to which the staff member replies, “Just walked straight out.”
During the investigation, one of the store employees tells the police that the woman is a regular visitor. When asked if she had been caught before, the staffer replies, “No, this is the first time that anyone’s approached her.” The woman later admits that she intended to resell some of the items she had taken. Police informed her that she would be let off after questioning, but would have to appear in court in connection with the case. She also stated that she holds a driver’s licence issued in Washington.
After the shoplifting incident in July, the US Embassy in India issued a public advisory warning visa holders against criminal activity. In a post on X, the embassy stated: “Committing assault, theft, or burglary in the United States won’t just cause you legal issues – it could lead to your visa being revoked and make you ineligible for future US visas.”
In yet another incident of retail theft, an Indian woman was caught shoplifting at a Target store in the United States, sparking discussions about rising cases of petty crime in American retail chains. According to store employees, the woman is not new to such activities, with one staff member remarking, “She’s a regular here.”
Reports suggest that store security detained the woman after spotting suspicious behavior on surveillance cameras. She was allegedly caught attempting to leave the premises with unpaid items tucked inside her shopping bag. Store authorities immediately alerted local law enforcement, and the woman was taken into custody for questioning.
This marks the second known case involving an Indian woman at Target within recent months, highlighting a troubling pattern that has put the spotlight on retail theft in the US.
Employees at the store claimed the accused had been seen on multiple occasions. One staff member reportedly told media, “This is not the first time. She’s a regular here. We’ve noticed her before but this time, we had enough evidence to stop her.”
Retail theft has become a growing challenge across the United States. Large chains such as Target, Walmart, and CVS have reported millions in losses annually due to shoplifting incidents. Several outlets have even considered closing stores in high-risk areas as shrinkage (loss due to theft or error) continues to surge.
While the identity of the woman has not yet been disclosed, sources confirm that she faces potential charges of petty theft, which may lead to fines, probation, or even jail time depending on the value of goods stolen and prior offenses. Authorities are investigating whether she is linked to earlier theft cases at the same store.
The incident has drawn mixed reactions from the community. Some social media users criticized the repeated behavior, arguing that such actions damage the reputation of law-abiding immigrants. Others expressed concern about the rising shoplifting trend in the US, pointing to economic pressures and inflation as contributing factors.
Target has been vocal about its zero-tolerance policy toward shoplifting. The retail giant continues to invest in advanced surveillance, theft-prevention technologies, and additional security staff to curb recurring incidents.
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