Indian Tourist Faces Felony Charges After Shoplifting Incident at US Target Store

An Indian woman visiting the United States is under investigation following an alleged shoplifting incident at a Target store in Illinois, as reported. The woman, identified as Jamisha Avalani, reportedly spent over seven hours in the store, selecting items valued at approximately $1,300 (Rs 1.1 lakh) before attempting to leave without paying. The incident, which occurred on May 1, 2025, gained widespread attention after police bodycam footage surfaced online, showing a Target employee confronting Avalani.

According to the footage, shared by the YouTube channel Body Cam Edition, the employee stated, “We saw this woman roaming around the store for the last seven hours. She was picking up items, checking her phone, moving between aisles, and eventually tried to walk out the west gate without paying.” Avalani, who initially provided a false name, Anaya, pleaded with officers to let her pay for the items, saying, “I am really sorry to bother you if it is. I am not from this country. I am not going to stay here.” However, a female officer responded, “Are you allowed to steal things in India? I did not think so.” Avalani was handcuffed and taken to the police station, where she faces felony theft charges.

The US Embassy in India issued a warning on X, stating, “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.” India’s Ministry of External Affairs urged citizens abroad to respect local laws, noting that 1,563 Indian nationals have been deported from the US since January 2025. A separate video of a Mexican woman shoplifting was falsely linked to this incident, but clarified the misinformation, citing a May 1, 2025, report by Mexican news platform Record. The viral video has sparked debates online about legal consequences and cultural perceptions.