McHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — Avlani Jimisha, a middle-aged Indian woman visiting McHenry County, Illinois, was arrested after being caught attempting to steal merchandise valued at $1,300 from a Target store.
Target employees grew suspicious after noticing Jimisha had been shopping for over seven hours without completing a purchase. They contacted police, who arrived within minutes — one female and two male officers. A detailed investigation followed, lasting more than four hours.
During the process, Jimisha repeatedly pleaded with officers, insisting she had money and was willing to pay for the items. She reportedly begged them hundreds of times to release her, describing the situation as deeply embarrassing. Despite her appeals, the officers, particularly the female cop, remained firm. At one point, the female officer asked, “Do you steal like this in your country?”
Ultimately, Jimisha was arrested and taken to the police station, where formal charges were filed. This incident highlights the serious legal consequences of shoplifting in the U.S., serving as a cautionary tale especially for Indian students and visitors: attempts to make last-minute payments or apologies cannot reverse the damage once caught.
