When a shoplifter stole fabric softener from a Duane Reade in Manhattan, she was outraged when the store’s security guard tried to stop her. The thief, who identified herself as “Jackie,” explained that she could not be touched by security even though she was stealing from the store.
Jackie was recently interviewed by a media outlet in New York to tell her story about the time she was caught stealing from Duane Reade. She explained that the guard took her into a back room and lectured her on why stealing is wrong. The guard “manhandled” her and dragged her into the backroom of the Duane Reade store on 14th Street in Manhattan’s Union Square, according to Jackie. She also stated that she was banned from all Duane Reade stores across New York state after receiving a notification in the back room of the store.
In the midst of a discussion about fabric softener, Jackie mentioned that she was attempting to steal it to wash her clothes. However, the security guard was too quick for her and prevented her from entering. According to Jackie, she gave up the item and was then dragged back into the shop, where she was placed in a storage room while being questioned about the incident of shoplifting.
“He put his hands on me and pulled me back into the store and told me I had to go back in,” Jackie stated. “They’re not allowed to touch you. They manhandled me. They dragged me into the store. They actually cut my purse off of me with a box cutter.”
Jackie finishes her interview in front of the pharmacy, then goes inside to argue with security about how she was treated. Her boyfriend comes along for support this time. While talking to the store employees, Jackie insists that what the Duane Reade guard did was against the law and that she shouldn’t have been grabbed so roughly for stealing from the store.
In recent months, thieves have targeted department stores like Duane Reade in New York City. In February, a large group of youths stormed into a Duane Reade store in the city and stole hundreds of dollars worth of goods.
Meanwhile, shoplifting has increased rapidly in New York City. Duane Reade’s competitor, CVS Pharmacy, claims that incidents of shoplifting have increased by a whopping 300 percent since the start of the pandemic under then-President Donald Trump. In addition, Rite Aid closed down an entire store in Midtown Manhattan after more than $200,000 worth of goods were unaccounted for and likely stolen from the location.
Jackie eventually confessed that she has shoplifted before, and was even arrested for it a few years back as a teenager. She stated that shoplifting takes dedication and focus if you want to be successful at it.
“Taking stuff is hard,” the shoplifter stated. “Whenever you try to steal something, it’s a 50/50 shot that you’ll get caught. But usually, you get caught.”
