Indian Tourist Spent Seven Hours In Target Trying To Steal Hundreds Of Dollars Worth Of Merchandise

The automatic doors of the Target store in Schaumburg, Illinois, whooshed open just like they had for thousands of customers on the morning of 1 May. But for one visitor from India, those doors would soon close on her freedom, her future, and her faith in second chances.

Jimisha Avlani had been in America for less than a week, staying with her sister's family in the suburbs of Chicago. Back home in Mumbai, she worked in marketing for a company whose name now seems like it belonged to someone else's life. That Thursday morning, she made a list on her phone: gifts for colleagues, treats for her parents, and American brands her friends had requested. Normal tourist shopping. Nothing more.

By sunset, she would be sitting in the back of a police car, watching her life unravel through tears and disbelief as she was arrested for allegedly attempting to steal merchandise valued at approximately £1,028 ($1,378).

The incident, captured on police bodycam footage and shared widely online, has ignited discussions about shoplifting, cultural misunderstandings, and the legal consequences for international visitors in the US.

For every international visitor who walks into an American store, Avlani's story carries warnings worth heeding.

The Target Shoplifting Incident

The retail landscape operates on assumptions that seem obvious to Americans but can trap visitors from countries where shopping follows different rhythms. That final point of payment isn't a suggestion—it's a legal boundary. The ability to pay later doesn't erase the act of not paying in the moment.

Store security operates with powers that might shock visitors from countries with different privacy laws. They can detain, question, and prosecute with an efficiency that leaves little room for mercy or misunderstanding.

Avlani spent seven hours in a Target store, allegedly filling a cart with items valued at £1,028. A Target employee reported, 'She was picking up items, checking her phone, moving between aisles, and tried to walk out without paying'.

The store's loss prevention team notified police, leading to her arrest. Bodycam footage, shared by the TikTok channel @cops.nemo.no2, captured Avlani pleading, "Why can't I just pay for it?"

The officer replied, "We're past that. You committed a felony". The video, which has amassed over 750,000 views, has fueled widespread debate.

X posts from @Kishlaysharma said, 'Jimisha alias Anaya Avlani (Indian visiting family in US) after getting caught red-handed in US shoplifting stuff worth 1300 USD in Target stores'.

The high value of the goods escalated the charge to a felony in the US, unlike lower-value thefts.

UK Shoplifting Laws and Consequences

Had Avlani's incident occurred in the UK, the consequences would differ under the Theft Act 1968.

Shoplifting goods worth £1,028 ($1,378) exceeds the £200 ($268) threshold for low-value shoplifting, making it an either-way offence, triable in a Magistrates' or Crown Court.

Penalties may include imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine, or both, depending on the offender's prior record and the specific circumstances.

For a first-time offender, a fine or community order is more likely, but the high value could lead to harsher penalties.

Security guards may use reasonable force to detain shoplifters under the Criminal Law Act 1967, and the police may issue a caution or arrest them.

A conviction would result in a criminal record, potentially affecting visa status for international visitors.

Public Reaction and Cultural Context

However, perhaps the most challenging lesson is about the permanence of digital shame. Long after any legal punishment ends, the video remains. Future employers, potential romantic partners, and anyone with an internet connection can watch Jimisha's worst moment on repeat.

The viral footage sparked polarised reactions. Some sympathised, suggesting that cultural or language barriers were to blame, while others criticised Avlani's actions as damaging to the Indian diaspora's reputation.

X posts from @CNNnews18 said, 'An Indian woman was reportedly caught shoplifting merchandise worth Rs 1.08 lakh at a Target store in Illinois, United States'.

Critics like @fakepanjabi remarked, 'This person is in the US on a tourist visa, so she's not poor.... still spent more than 7 HOURS trying to steal from Target.'.

This incident, alongside others like a 2025 Walmart case in Georgia, highlights scrutiny of immigrant behaviour.

Discussions on X and TikTok reflect concerns about public shaming and stereotypes, with some arguing the legal system's response amplifies social stigma.

In the UK, shoplifting carries significant risks, from fines to imprisonment, emphasising the importance of understanding legal consequences abroad.

Avlani's case serves as a cautionary tale and a severe reminder for international visitors navigating unfamiliar legal systems.

The automatic doors at Target continue to whoosh open and close, welcoming and releasing thousands of shoppers every day. Most will never know about the woman who spent seven hours there, whose life changed in the space between entering and trying to leave. However, her story remains a poignant reminder that in the modern world, where cultures collide and cameras capture every moment, a single misunderstanding can reverberate forever.

As this story spread, it revealed something about how America has changed. Once, store security might have accepted payment and sent an embarrassed shopper on their way with a warning. But rising theft rates, corporate policies, and a legal system that profits from prosecution have created a machine that, once started, rarely stops.