An Indian Tourist Faces Felony Charges for Alleged Shoplifting at Target in Illinois

Ananya Avlani, an Indian Tourist Faces Felony Charges for Alleged Shoplifting at Target in Illinois:
A viral video is making rounds of Social media depicting arrest of an Indian tourist, identified as Ananya Avlani (also referred to as Anaya Avlani or Jimisha Avlani in some reports), who was detained by police in Illinois for allegedly attempting to shoplift $1,300 worth of merchandise from a Target store.

According to police bodycam footage released by the YouTube channel @BodyCamEdition , Avlani spent over seven hours in the store, raising suspicion among staff. She was stopped at the store’s west gate exit after allegedly trying to leave without paying for items in her cart. In the footage, Avlani offered to pay for the items, stating she was visiting the U.S. and did not intend to stay.
However, police informed her that leaving the store without paying constituted felony theft. She was handcuffed and taken to a police station for processing, with felony charges pending, though a formal arrest has not been confirmed in all reports. The incident has sparked significant online debate, with some expressing sympathy, suggesting a possible misunderstanding, while others criticized her actions as damaging to the Indian community’s reputation.

The U.S. Embassy in India issued a warning on X, stating that crimes like theft could lead to visa revocation and future entry bans for foreign nationals. Legal experts note that shoplifting, classified as a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude, may have serious immigration consequences, including visa cancellation or deportation. Note: A viral video circulating on social media, claiming to show Avlani’s arrest, has been debunked. Fact-checking by DFRAC and Newschecker confirmed the video is from an unrelated incident in Mexico involving a different woman at a Coppel store. The authentic bodycam footage from Target is separate and does not match the viral clip.

This case serves as a reminder of the serious legal and immigration consequences of shoplifting in the U.S., especially for visitors