Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Sep 8: An Indian woman was caught shoplifting at a Target store in the United States earlier this year, with a video of the incident going viral on social media.

The clip, dated January 15, shows the woman sobbing, choking, and struggling to breathe while officers questioned her. An officer initially told her, “Right now you’re not free to leave,” and repeatedly urged her to take deep breaths to calm down.

When asked about her language, the woman replied, “Not very good,” and identified Gujarati as her primary language, confirming she was from India. She declined an interpreter and answered questions regarding any medical conditions contributing to her hyperventilation.

Store staff showed officers CCTV footage of the woman walking past the checkout with a cart full of unpaid items. “So, she just put everything in the cart and then just walked past,” an officer noted, with a staff member adding, “Just walked straight out.”

The woman, who held a Washington-issued driver’s license, admitted she intended to resell some of the items. Police informed her that she would need to appear in court in connection with the case.

This is not the first such reported incident. In July, another Indian woman in Illinois was investigated for allegedly stealing merchandise worth approximately Rs 1.1 lac from a Target store. Police bodycam footage from that case showed the woman apologizing and offering to pay for the items, stating, “I am really sorry to bother you… I am not from this country. I am not going to stay here.”

Authorities in both cases have taken the women into custody for further legal proceedings.