A video documenting the interrogation of an Indian woman following her arrest for shoplifting at a Target store in the US has gained considerable traction across social media platforms. While the event took place in January, the video has recently re-emerged in the public consciousness. The woman allegedly confessed to stealing goods worth about ₹1 lakh. The video, approximately 10 minutes long, shows her appearing very nervous during the police interrogation, characterized by continuous crying, gasping, and instances of choking. Authorities documented her hyperventilating for more than an hour and inquired if she needed medical attention. During the interrogation, the woman stated she is from India and her mother tongue is Gujarati. Information also revealed that she had allegedly shoplifted at the same Target store multiple times before, avoiding detection until this incident, where the stolen items were valued at over ₹1 lakh. She claimed she planned to sell the stolen items. Surprisingly, the police decided against filing charges, opting instead to issue a warning and let her go.
The matter has elicited varied opinions on the internet. One perspective suggests that shoplifting is not a major concern in the US, citing that a quarter of Americans have shoplifted at least once and police usually only take action when the value of stolen goods surpasses a certain threshold. Conversely, other users expressed disapproval of linking the woman’s actions with her Indian identity, asserting that such behavior is not typical and criticizing those who contribute to the negative portrayal of Indians. The video continues to circulate, prompting widespread discussion.