Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The US Embassy in India has issued a strong warning stating that any foreign national, including Indian citizens, involved in theft, assault, or burglary in the United States risks having their visa revoked and could be barred from future entry. This advisory comes after an Indian woman allegedly spent over seven hours in a Target store in Illinois, picking up items worth $1,300 (₹1.1 lakh), and then attempted to leave without paying.
Legal consequences and embassy advisory
In a post on social media platform X, the embassy said, “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.” The post emphasized that the US expects all foreign visitors to follow its laws and uphold public order.
Incident that prompted the warning
The alleged theft occurred on May 1, 2025, when store staff observed the woman wandering between aisles, checking her phone, and filling a cart. A viral police bodycam video shows her being confronted by a Target employee before attempting to exit the west gate without payment. The woman claimed she would pay, but police still handcuffed and escorted her to the station. A female officer was heard asking, “Are you allowed to steal things in India? I did not think so.”
She now faces felony theft charges, and though not yet arrested, prosecution is anticipated.
