A chaotic scene unfolded inside a high-end boutique in Summit, New Jersey, after a woman was caught allegedly shoplifting luxury home décor items and then resisting arrest when confronted by police.
According to authorities, the incident began shortly after 2:00 PM at “The Market on Springfield Avenue,” a local store known for its curated collection of designer goods and handcrafted pieces. Staff members became suspicious when they noticed a woman repeatedly moving between aisles, stuffing items into an oversized tote bag while glancing nervously at security cameras.
“We had a feeling something wasn’t right,” said one employee, who asked to remain anonymous. “She kept picking up expensive candles, jewelry, and tableware — then walking toward the exit without paying.”
When store staff approached her, the woman reportedly claimed she “just needed to check something in her car” and refused to open her bag. That’s when employees called police.
Bodycam footage released by the Summit Police Department shows two officers arriving moments later. They approach the woman calmly, asking her to step aside and cooperate. At first, she appears to comply — until one officer mentions reviewing security footage. Suddenly, she tries to push past them and bolt toward the door.
The officers quickly block her exit, and the situation escalates. “Ma’am, don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” one officer can be heard saying. The woman then begins shouting that she “didn’t steal anything” and accuses the officers of harassment. Within seconds, she’s placed under arrest as shoppers watch in disbelief.
Witnesses say the woman’s tone changed once she was handcuffed. “She went from angry to panicked,” one customer recalled. “She kept saying she didn’t mean to take anything — that it was a mistake.”
Police later confirmed that she had several stolen items in her bag, including scented candles, artisan bowls, and boutique skincare products — with a total retail value of more than $600.
At the station, the woman was charged with shoplifting, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. Officers say she also had a previous record for theft from a nearby department store earlier this year.
“This wasn’t a misunderstanding,” said Sgt. Ryan Lopez of Summit PD. “The store’s surveillance video makes it clear that this was deliberate. Our officers handled it with restraint and professionalism despite the resistance.”
The footage, later shared online, quickly went viral — not only because of the incident itself but because of the woman’s dramatic attempt to justify her actions. At one point during the arrest, she claims she “wasn’t stealing” but “testing the security system.”
Social media users were quick to react, with one commenter writing, “Testing security by stealing $600 worth of candles? That’s one expensive experiment.” Another added, “She resisted arrest and failed every test — except the one proving cameras work.”
The suspect is now awaiting her court appearance, and authorities say additional charges may follow if she’s linked to other recent thefts in the area.
As Sgt. Lopez summed it up:
“Summit is a small community — word travels fast. Let this serve as a reminder that crime, no matter how small, always catches up to you.”
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