Viral Video: A video of a daylight shoplifting at a Walgreens store in San Francisco has gone viral on social media, shocking people all over the world. The incident happened on Monday when a young man wearing a black hooded jacket and face covered with a blue bandana cycled his way into the store. He then took items from a shelf and shoved them into a black garbage bag as onlookers and the security guard film the shocking act. As he cycles away, the guard tried to snatch the bag but the man cycles past him and out of the store successfully.
A local journalist named Lyanne Melendez shared the clip which has gone viral and amassed over 5.8 million views on Twitter.
Watch the video here:
This just happened at the @Walgreens on Gough & Fell Streets in San Francisco. #NoConsequences @chesaboudin pic.twitter.com/uSbnTQQk4J
— Lyanne Melendez (@LyanneMelendez) June 14, 2021
“It’s hard for me as a journalist to say ‘I won’t be involved, I can’t get involved,’ I have to be sort of neutral, but this is also my city. I live in this city and I see this constantly. Not only Walgreens, but cars, and my garage door has been broken into twice,” Lyanne Melendez, KGO-TV reporter who shot the video, told ABC 7 News.
The video has got mixed reactions, with many debating whether the guy should have been stopped from stealing. Others said that security guard was right for not intervening, as often engaging with the suspect can be dangerous.
If the security guard were to be injured while engaging the suspect, the payout for that employee could be vastly more than the value of the stolen items. In these situations they are told to sit back and watch, lest they be fired.
— (redacted) (@thegreatcucuzza) June 14, 2021
Do you think this person wanted to do this? Do you think they would risk themself in a society that equitably distributes resources and supports people who are in difficult situations?
People are struggling and Walgreens is hoarding wealth. This is a consequence of that.
— candyriot (@candyriot_) June 16, 2021
This is happening in NYC too. I have witnessed it and reported it to security guards, who do nothing. Why have security guards? He didn't do anything. Why was he standing there just WATCHING?? https://t.co/sqTpbkAi2m
— That Girl At The Party (@xoxocorthenley) June 17, 2021
Very sad to see this.
Walgreens has closed 17 locations in the past five years and many elderly and disabled people are having a hard time getting their medicines.
— Michelle Tandler 🌁 (@michelletandler) June 15, 2021
"Descended into lawlessness" is a strange phrase to be using about an American city, but it seems an accurate description of what's happening here.
— Paul Graham (@paulg) June 15, 2021
The shoplifting incident is a visible example of what a Walgreens spokesman said was a broader, persistent problem in San Francisco. “Unfortunately, this is another example of blatant retail theft which is an ongoing problem for several retailers in San Francisco,” Walgreens spokesman Phil Caruso said in an email, as reported by CNN.