Chicago – January 06, 2025
An Indian woman, identified in reports as Jimisha Avlani, was arrested and charged with felony retail theft after allegedly attempting to steal approximately $1,300 worth of merchandise from a Target store in Illinois. The incident occurred on May 1, 2025, and garnered widespread attention after police body camera footage went viral online in July and September 2025.
Incident Details
Store employees reported that Avlani spent nearly seven hours inside the store, roaming the aisles and placing items in her cart, before attempting to leave without paying.
She was stopped by store security after passing all points of sale. In the viral bodycam footage, she can be seen crying and repeatedly offering to pay for the items. Police officers informed her that it was too late to pay and that the crime had already been committed, making it a felony due to the value of the goods, which exceeded the Illinois felony threshold of $300.
The woman, who spoke limited English and identified Gujarati as her first language, reportedly admitted she planned to resell some of the stolen items. She was a visitor or tourist in the US at the time, not a permanent resident. She was released after questioning but required to appear in court.
Consequences
The incident sparked a significant response, with the U.S. Embassy in India issuing a statement cautioning that crimes such as theft can lead to immediate visa revocation and future ineligibility for entry into the United States. The case is proceeding through the legal system, with potential consequences including jail time, fines, and immigration issues.
