Telugu girls arrested in US for shoplifting
Two Indian-origin students, Bhavya Linganagunta (20) and Yamini Valkalpudi (22), found themselves in legal trouble after being accused of shoplifting at a grocery store in the United States. The incident occurred at the Hoboken ShopRite, where the young women, originally from Hyderabad in Telangana and Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, respectively, were arrested by the local police.
The duo, who are graduate students at the Stevens Institute of Technology, allegedly attempted to leave the store without paying for 27 items, amounting to USD 155. Although they did pay for two items initially, they were apprehended by the store staff for failing to pay for the rest. Upon confrontation by the Hoboken city police, one of the women offered to pay the full amount or even double the amount to rectify the situation, while the other pleaded for leniency, promising not to repeat the offense.
Bodycam footage released by the Hoboken Police shows them arresting two female international students from India for alleged shoplifting at a ShopRite. Both are graduate students at Stevens Institute of Technology (@FollowStevens) and are repeat shoplifters.
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When questioned by the authorities about their actions, one of the students cited having a limited balance in her account as the reason for not paying, while the other claimed they simply forgot to pay for some items. However, the police reiterated that their actions constituted a crime, leading to their arrest. Additionally, they were required to provide a written confirmation that they would refrain from visiting the shop in the future.
This incident echoes a similar case in 2015, where two Indian-origin women were accused of stealing 155 razors worth USD 4,500 from a Walmart store in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The security camera footage captured the women, accompanied by a young child, stealing the razors from the personal grooming section before leaving the store through a different entrance and fleeing in a minivan.
Shoplifting is a serious offense in the United States, regardless of one’s background or circumstances. It not only results in legal consequences but also tarnishes one’s reputation and integrity. As members of the international student community, it is imperative for individuals to uphold the laws and values of their host country while pursuing their academic endeavors abroad.
