An Indian woman visiting the United States is under investigation for an alleged theft at a Target store in Illinois. According to reports, the woman, identified as Ananya Avlani, spent over seven hours inside the store, and her behaviour raised suspicion among the staff.
Authorities claim she is suspected of attempting to steal merchandise worth around USD 1,300.
A recently released video, showing bodycam footage from the police, captures a Target employee saying the woman had been moving around the store for several hours, picking up items, checking her phone, and eventually trying to leave through the west gate without paying.
The video shows the woman speaking to police and offering to pay for the items. She told the officers that she was not from the country and did not intend to stay.
Embarrassing much! 🤢
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) July 16, 2025
Indian woman Anaya Avlani visiting the US is facing felony charges for allegedly shoplifting $1,300 (Rs1,11,617) worth of goods from a Target store in Illinois
She spent nearly 7 hours inside the store, wandering through aisles, glued to her phone before… pic.twitter.com/2SfTtjkjhH
The situation escalated after the police reviewed the bill. The woman was handcuffed and taken to the station for paperwork. She is now facing felony charges, although an official arrest has not yet been confirmed.
The video was uploaded to YouTube with a caption describing the events that took place on May 1, 2025, when police responded to a call from the store.
The case has sparked widespread discussion on social media. The video has been shared across platforms, with many users commenting on the legal and cultural implications of the case.
This is not the first such incident involving an Indian national in the US. Recently, another case involving an Indian student accused of theft in Texas also received public attention.
Shoplifting charges in the United States are considered serious and can have long-term consequences, especially for non-citizens. Legal experts have pointed out that such charges can affect immigration status, including H-1B visa renewals, green card applications, and in some cases, may even lead to deportation.
