I can pay for it. Please, my husband's right there. Please, my kids are in the car. >> Stay right here. Do not leave. >> Man, what are you doing? You need to stay right here. So, what is wrong with you right now? >> I need to go. >> You can't leave. You are not leaving right now. >> In the digital age, every action leaves a trail. Can claims of hardship, poor health, or simple mistakes really stand up against cameras that never blink and never forget? These are the moments when shoplifterss discover that no excuse, no scheme, and no shortcut can outrun modern surveillance or the determination of law enforcement. Is a few dollars worth of merchandise really worth spending a night in jail? And can a fake identity fool the police? Or does it just add another charge? >> Where you get the name of Vanessa Cruz? >> She's your friend. She did all kinds of stuff in her history, but the picture don't look nothing alike. Huh? >> Yeah, it doesn't look like that. You couldn't even You couldn't even ask her sister. >> I was just I was stupid. I was just stupid of the old sister. >> In a Walmart parking lot, a woman was stopped and confidently provided her name. But modern identification technology exposed the deception within seconds. 48. >> Oh, you've been in trouble before? >> No, not really. You know, >> what's your date of birth? >> Yes. was in the the wings. >> My husband's right over there. If I can just pay for it or something, can we drop it, please? >> It's not up to us. >> Who's it up to? >> Mark, >> I can pay for it. Please. My husband's right there. Please. My kids are in the car. Please. >> Why didn't you do that before? >> Are you convicted, felon? >> No, >> you're not. >> No. >> What's your date of birth again? >> Once the handcuffs came out, the began. her husband's debit card, her children waiting in the car, every excuse she could think of. The officer wasn't persuaded. >> Please, my cousin's in the car. Please, Walmart, please. >> We can use the debit card or something. Please last time. Is this your name? >> Yes, >> it's your social. >> Yes, that's my social. Yes. >> Going back to the black guy with tattoos. >> Well, I don't know why. That's the time. That's my social. You got nothing here with your name on it. >> No, nothing. >> So, how can we uh verify that you live here? >> Oh, that goes with that. >> Yeah, that goes with that. >> That goes with that. Yes, sir. >> Like, I'm being honest. Please, can I just pay with a debit card or something? Please. >> Please. All right. >> Mirror on your vehicle. >> Good. >> Which one is your husband's car? >> An Audi. >> Yeah. >> No. >> Do you have anything else in your bag that's theirs? >> No. >> Have your ID with you? >> No, I don't. >> I have a rapid ID. So, it's >> So, I'm letting you know it's an extra charge if you don't give law enforcement your accurate information. Giving you one last >> Okay, great. >> for child support. >> Okay. Thank you. Because you don't want to get extra charges. >> Well, I'm already getting charged. It doesn't matter. I'm going to jail. I'll wait for my kids. I bring my kids. >> Yes, I know. I know. I made the right the wrong decision. We know that. I know. I'm very aware. >> So, what you're >> So, you you ran all the way over here. Yeah. >> What are they supposed to do? >> Not steal. They They confronted you cuz they've been watching you. >> You're right. I shouldn't >> cuz Walmart has better cameras than banks. >> You're right. But my husband has the a debit card or something. We can drop this right now. >> What? Once we're going to find out who you are if you got a warrant. You're not going to run again, are you? >> No. Why? >> Those your cuffs. >> No, they're the other guy refers to the other. >> How can I run with cuffs on? >> Hey, I've seen it many times. >> They can't get off. >> That's another charge. >> I guess these things do lock down once you get so far. They do lock down once you get so far. Yeah. No, I watch shop motion all the way. >> My rats. >> You need to sit down. You can smell the curb if you want. >> No, I can't. I'm on my motorcycle. >> The real reason she ran wasn't the stolen merchandise. It was a much bigger problem she desperately didn't want police to discover. >> Why you got the cool kid uniform today? Y'all doing something? Y'all doing something different today? Y'all doing the same? What's that? >> Nothing. Did you chase? Did you actually run? >> You get the name of Vanessa Cruz. >> She's your friend. She did all kinds of stuff in her history, but the picture don't look nothing alike. >> Vanessa, >> huh? >> Who doesn't look like? >> Yeah, it doesn't look like you couldn't You couldn't even ask her sisters. >> I was just I was stupid. I was just stupid of the older sisters. Not asking for petty or nothing. It's okay. I need this many cops. >> Well, they didn't know what was going on. All they had is someone uh run into the parking lot. So, obviously that's something going on. Usually entails shoplifting. >> You master the locally or no? >> Yes, I do. >> You guys take it. One of you guys want to take it? >> I can. >> No matter. I got like two from this place. >> Yeah. >> We were here this morning, weren't we? >> Yes. Uh I was here yesterday. >> Every day, I think, is this place. >> I'm supposed to head out already. I >> thought you were leaving. >> I am leaving. >> She was running because she shoplifted. >> Oh, >> yeah. >> All right. Either way, I'm checking you. And then when you get down there >> No, you got to >> Yeah. >> That's fine. I still got to check you. And then when you get to the >> I know. I don't know what girl >> place then. >> And you just got to get checked again. >> Sorry, I didn't feel it. >> In a rare moment of honesty, the suspect admitted the most painful lesson of the night. She had already lost long before she started running. >> Anything in your bra? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. No, you don't have to face. You're fine. I don't know what to do. I'm your just >> All right. >> Sorry. It's okay. >> Not trying to >> No, it's fine. It's fine. >> Like I said, you're going to get slurped up, but >> I know. I'm very aware. >> Okay. >> Uh anything in your shoes or anything like that? Awesome. >> All right. Um, we're probably going to go in her car. >> Going in his car. >> I think you're going in her car now. >> We're playing shuffle boards with the shuffle cards. >> I was going to be He doesn't want me to say hi to my husband. >> We'll still We'll We'll get there. Please. >> Are your kids actually in the car? >> I don't want to mention that. >> Is that them in the car? >> Yes. >> It's none. They had nothing to do with it. Leave them alone. I'm not doing anything with the kids. >> Some >> Were they inside with you? >> No, ma'am. >> No, ma'am. >> No, every store. >> You want to step out of their line of sight? >> Yeah. Thank you. >> That way they don't see you. >> Sorry. I'm just nervous. >> Just remember next time. >> I know. through this decision. >> I know it was, but what I'm saying is is that if you think you're not going to get caught, nine times out of 10 >> Christmas stuff. >> No, it was just I was trying to go as something. It was late. It was late thinking. I was just in a rush. I wasn't thinking at all. >> Well, hopefully you can get the warrant and get all this. He gets a warning anyway off. So >> is it for those kids? >> Yeah. >> With him? >> No. >> Okay. >> I just have child support. >> Got stuff. >> How much am I looking at? >> That I don't know. I'm not the I'm not u the bonds person. >> But I have to say how much stuff? >> It's like 30 $40. >> I think their limit's like 20 something. >> Yeah, they're >> it's very little. If you talk to him, you pick up running. Well, that's that's a limit for pro prosecution. They can still I mean, if you take a piece of gum, it's still rest. >> Yeah, I know. >> I'm just And I'm fine. So, I'm staying overnight, right? >> Yes. I see the judge in the morning. >> Yay. >> Oops. >> Yeah. Okay. So, you came here by yourself. Is there really someone sticking around out here? There's somebody sticking. >> Her husband and her boyfriend and her are kids and kids are in that car. >> Can we please smoke a cigarette before I go in or >> That's not my call. You're going in her car and I don't know that she's going to want that to smell like that to be honest. >> Somebody else take me, please. >> You even have cigarettes in here, do you? >> No, they're in the car. They're in my husband's car. >> Oh, yeah. I can't do that. So, I don't know what you'd be smoking then. Like, there might be something in there. >> Yeah. I do have readily available ready to go. They can >> They are ready to go. They're in the car ready to go. >> I got you. When I walk to the car, go get something that may or may not be cigarettes. >> Okay. But when I go see say goodbye to them, can >> not up to us. >> Who is it? It's up to her. You want to sit right here? >> No. No. I know. >> The case ended with multiple legal problems piling up at once. shoplifting, providing false identification, an active warrant for unpaid child support, and fleeing from the scene. A $30 theft turned into something far more serious. The biggest lesson here is simple honesty goes much further than deception. Trying to run from existing legal problems almost always creates new ones. If the last case was a desperate attempt to escape, the next story features a completely different strategy, one built around a claim of innocent confusion. What would you do if police stopped you in the parking lot with a cart full of unpaid merchandise? Would tears and claims of I scanned everything still work when the cameras recorded every move? >> Yes. >> What's your social? >> What you need my social for? >> She said the same thing. So in New Jersey when you need your social and check you for wants. >> Oh why why you want check for a warrant for? >> Because you shopping. >> I didn't shop for damn thing. >> Yeah. I didn't know. We know that. So if I had a warrant, no, I don't want y'all to get my sister if I got a warrant and I ain't shoplift. >> Well, you're with your sister who did shoplift. >> That me y'all can see we separate. I paid myself. >> On June 15th, 2024, Sakus police responded to a Walmart theft report. The suspect remained calm and insisted she had paid for all of her items. >> How you doing, ma'am? >> Hello. Hello. >> I'm Officer Janette. Just you know my body camera's on. All right. >> All right. No problem. Here. So these are my two cards. You can help me, right? >> Yeah. What's going on? >> Yeah. >> All right. >> I'm going copy this one. It's a light car. >> Okay. Have you push this one for me? >> I'm in between 15 and 16. >> You're going to push this one for me? >> Yeah, I'll push that one. >> All right. And I'll push this 44 that I just have to come have to come back. >> All right. Come back. What about that grill? >> That's mine, baby. >> I got my receipt. So when y'all go in there, y'all can see it. Let's look. I just got here. I have no idea what what did >> I So was making me aggress. >> Which one you want me to push? >> This one cuz it's heavier, please. >> All right. >> Information. All units will be 10. >> Are you with anybody else? >> Yeah, I guess I got it back. If I don't have my live seat, I have the one on the phone cuz I pay with my card cuz >> that's fine. We're going to we're going to go back in. >> Let me see if it's here. I heard you. But let me just make sure I >> The color of that vehicle on that plate shows yellow. You have a white or a yellow? >> Oh, it's white. >> Does not match what we have. Just stop right here. Take everything out. >> Sorry. >> Like that. >> No, I I know this part. The loose items is where this >> I said I thought I scanned everything. >> You need this, right? the um thing the receipt thing that's on my phone. I don't even know where the live paper at no >> showed it to the lady. >> No, but I think I dropped it. So, I want to see if he needs Yes. >> What's your social? >> What you need my social for? >> She said the same thing. So, in New Jersey when you need your social and checking for >> Oh, why? Why you checking for warrant for? >> Because I didn't shopping for damn thing. >> Yeah, I didn't. >> We know. We know that. So if I had a war in No, I don't want y'all to get my sister if I got a warrant and I ain't shoplift. >> Well, you're with your sister who did shoplift. >> That me y'all can see we separate. I paid myself to do me. >> We're trying to figure out right now the stuff that they saw on camera. >> He said he going to pull it up and tell you right now. >> That's what he's figuring out right now doing the investigation. >> But surveillance footage told a different story. Officers reviewed the video and quickly uncovered clear evidence of unpaid merchandise. No, mine's on my phone. But I think I think I lost mine. But mine's on my phone. But I I got my receipt on my phone. >> What I think is what was loose, she took this hers as I told her. I need to check because since you start taking stuff out, I know which stuff is ours. But I know it was in the was loose was in the car that was uh >> was that so this see okay everything got to go back >> n that one is fake okay hers is fake as I said I needed >> so both places and not go back and load my car or I have to sit back. >> Oh, stupid. >> I I never I never did nothing in my life. >> Don't seem like a bad person. >> No. And honestly, I'm just standing I didn't >> It's unfortunate what happened to that. >> Oh my god. I never been. >> You'll have your time in court. You can tell the judge you had to do. Y'all have to do that to me, please. >> Wait, we our hands are tied right now. We don't We have no other choice. >> Still, can I speak to the Sup? >> It's not up to them right now. But I'm asking y'all please. I I never >> You're not going to jail. >> I've never did nothing in my life. Understand that. Come with us. We're going to process you. Wait. >> I never had that. I never been processed in my life. I didn't I swear I didn't do that on purpose. >> Oh my god. I never did. >> You can explain it on your court date. >> I don't want to court date. >> You could be placed on your birthday. You'll be nervous. >> Oh man, it's okay. No, it's not you. >> I'm going to jail. >> No, but to have that or and to be I swear I didn't try to steal nothing. I didn't. >> But it's $330 worth. >> I said I didn't know. I told you when I saw the receipt 116, I'm like, "Oh." >> The moment officers announced she was under arrest. Her confidence disappeared. Tears, promises, and offers to pay on the spot followed, but it was already too late. >> Oh my god. >> I'll grab your card. I'll grab your card. Please ask your supervisor right here supervisor. >> Please sir, I swear to God now. I don't want my family I don't want my family things. I swear I didn't try to spell my sister. >> I would never. >> Oh my god. I didn't realize I had him. Um, I don't have her name written down. >> You might have her her Oh my god. >> I don't want to stick a bunch of stuff in her hand. Never scan. Never scan. I understand that the >> regular receipt. >> Um, I think so. Take a picture. Everything go right up here and we'll see. I can't run out. It's working. Ottoma Anderson was handcuffed, transported for processing, and issued [music] a court summon before being released pending her court date. Selfch checkout systems record every transaction. If an item never gets scanned, it never becomes yours, and a single mistake or deliberate shortcut can quickly lead to criminal consequences. Farewell to Fatima's tears and remorse at Walmart. The woman in our next story chose a very different path. Instead of apologizing, she chose to fight back and then she chose to run. Could a $400 shopping cart turned into a felony simply because of your past? And is a getaway car waiting outside enough to outsmart the police? >> Where's your ID? >> I don't know. >> You don't have one? >> You don't have one in your purse? have another unit come by. Uh, can you have the manager come out? >> Yeah, you want me to take this in or leave right here? >> He leave right here till he comes out and decides what he wants to do. >> On May 5th, 2023 officers were dispatched to Wind Dixie. The suspect didn't wait to be detained. She bolted for the exit, forcing officers to intervene on the sidewalk. You >> have a receipt or did you buy this? >> Um, no. I'm sorry. >> Don't leave. Come back here. Don't leave. Come back. Ma'am, come here. >> Ma'am, come here. Stop. Don't run. What are you What are you doing? What are you doing? >> Please let me go. >> Don't No, you can't leave. You just You just got caught stealing. Come back here. You're detained right now. You cannot leave. Stay right here. Go to the sidewalk. signal copy at signal 30 at Wixie. Ma'am, don't don't leave. Where are you going? You're >> not touching me. >> You're detained right now. >> Stop touching me. >> You are detained right now. You have to stay right here. You're not allowed to leave. >> Okay, let me go. >> Stay right here. >> So, are you going for >> Can I get a uh 1394? Stay right here. Where are you going? Stand right here. >> 1041. >> Ma'am, you need to stay right here. What? You have an idea on 11. >> Stay right here. Do not leave. >> Ma'am, what are you doing? What are you doing right now? You need to stay right here. Hey, can you grab her? >> Ma'am, relax. What is wrong with you right now? >> I need to go. >> You can't leave. You are not leaving right now. Put your hands behind your back. Put your hands behind your back. >> I'm not going to try. No, it's too late. >> I'm not playing this game anymore. Put your back, man. 601 to 10th. one maintain 1856. >> Can I stand up, please? >> You got to hold on one second. >> Come on. Sound up. Right on >> pretty much. Where's your ID? >> I don't have one. >> You don't have one? >> You don't have one in your purse? >> Have another unit come by. Uh, can you have the manager come up? >> Yeah. You want me to take this in or leave right here? >> He can leave right here till he comes out and decides what he wants to do. >> Can you tell me what happened? Why would you need stuff? >> Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I'm just trying to get stuff for my family. I'm sorry. And I I don't want to go to jail. That's the last thing I need right now. >> Why are you trying to run from me? I tell you not to move. Why not have to grab you? I don't want Do you think I want to do this? >> No, I don't. I'm just >> I know they say you're scared, but you cannot run from the law enforcement. They're stopping you. Once handcuffed, the tears and excuses started flowing. But the store manager had a very different version of events backed by far more detail. >> You're escalated this. Yeah, I don't want I didn't have to put cuffs on you. >> I just have her detained right now. >> Just looking for her on camera, actually. >> So, you want to like get the price of everything that she's taking or do right now. >> You have anything in your purse that you took also? >> No, I mean I don't know. Is there any way I could just be trespassed or something? >> We'll find out when the other officer gets here. >> The evidence revealed this was no impulsive act. The plan had been prepared in advance and surveillance cameras captured every step. >> Your boy What's up? >> She was waiting for her ride for getaway car was actually parked in the front parking spot in that handicap place. >> You got it on camera? >> Uh yeah. >> You got a tag on there or whatever. Even if you don't have one, >> I'm going to I'm going to try to get a tag for you now. >> 1439 from last night. >> I do got a I think I got a plane for you. >> I have it on the computer. >> I'll get it. I'll get it once I'm done with this. What did you see? >> Come out. >> Okay. >> When I saw when she come in and she take like the bus, the real super bus. And >> do you mind writing a statement? >> No, it's okay. You can do it. >> You can do it. All right. >> Yeah. I don't know if I'm like really good writing in English. Yeah, >> I speak Spanish. I mean, >> okay. So, I can write in Spanish? >> Yeah, try in Spanish. >> Okay. >> But whatever you want. I'll have him once he's done with his, I'll have you write one. Do you have your ID? Uh yeah, I'll break her. >> I'll ask your manager. >> Hey, is it okay if we get a statement from her? >> Huh? >> If I can get a statement from her. >> Yeah, of course. >> And um she needs her ID. Says the breaker. >> Can I get information? >> Yeah. >> Better be fast. [laughter] >> So before you ride it, just tell me what happened. >> Oh, you have your ID before. Okay. So what did you see? >> Okay. When she come in, she take a lot of bath from this side. So I was here and she take a lot of bath. Then she was walking around and then when she was getting out, she used to stay on the line. So when the man that was before her was paying, she just like run away and I was like why? So I didn't see when she was paying. So I called him. >> So you didn't see her pay at all? >> Okay. >> Do me a favor. Just uh right raise your right hand. >> Right hand. Right hand. Is everything you're going to say the truth? Nothing but the truth. >> Yeah. >> Just put your initials here and then write what happened in detail. As much detail as possible. Okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Take your time. Okay. >> A background check uncovered an even bigger problem. This wasn't her first offense. And her criminal history would dramatically raise the stakes. >> All right. You're good to go. >> Make sure back here. >> You forgot that with your property. So, with your bags and stuff. >> Yeah, I know. >> All right. Go ahead. >> There you go. Thanks a lot. >> Yep. You need anything else? You know what to put in your CRA and everything? >> I figured I'm going to go to They want to go to a station with Sergeant cuz uh he's a probation. >> Okay. >> So, he's going to explain it to me. But um shoplifting things pretty well. She tried to flee. So I'm not that tried to >> Yeah. >> I grab her. She tried to flee you. >> She was resisting. >> Um well, at least you know you witnessed the shoplifting >> literally. Yeah. >> So that's your biggest strong. >> All right. Thank you. >> Bye. >> That's too tight. All right. Hold on. says the cups are too tight. >> Check. You want to uh Yeah, check your camera on. >> Yeah, it's one is it? Is it both of them or just one? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Your hair bands off. Maybe that'll help. It's >> fine, I guess. Shouldn't be too long. Okay. Although the merchandise was worth less than $400, prior theft convictions elevated the charge to a felony. Combined with resisting arrest and a permanent trespass order, the consequences became far more serious than a simple shoplifting case. Personal hardships may explain behavior, but they do not erase evidence. When surveillance footage documents a deliberate theft, [music] the facts speak louder than any excuse. As the chase at Wind Dixie comes to an end, we move on to a very different kind of shoplifter. One who doesn't run, doesn't shout, and simply believes they're clever enough to outsmart an entire security system. What would you do if security caught you turning a selfch checkout lane into your own personal free shopping event? >> Joking? >> Well, no, my daughter drove. >> Your daughter drove? >> Granddaughter? Yeah. Is she in the car? Yeah, she's in the car. She can't leave me because I just got out the hospital. >> So, um, she has to stay. >> Is your uh granddaughter of age or is she young? >> No, she's underage. >> How old is she? >> Are waiting for you? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> On January 31st, 2025, Hackinack police responded to a Target after loss prevention spotted a woman abusing the selfch checkout system. Hi. >> How you doing? >> I'm good. How are you? Good. >> All right. What's going on? >> Uh, we got one earrings. >> Hi, ma'am. Just so you know, everything is being audio and visually recorded. Okay. I got to let you know that. >> She was consuming merchandise on the floor. >> Okay. >> And she left the store without paying. She paid for the stuff in the cart right there. >> She paid for the stuff in the cart. >> Yeah. >> She didn't pay for what? This? >> Yeah. Yeah, I'm the receipt right now. >> Um, I can get the receipt with this, right? >> Yeah, with that. I got that. >> You >> um, >> all right. Do you have anything? Uh, do you have ID on you? >> Yeah. I wonder if What? No. My daughter. >> Your daughter? >> Granddaughter? Yeah. Is she in the car? >> Yeah, she's in the car. She can't leave me because I just got out the hospital. >> Car waiting for you? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, so you came into the store without your granddaughter. I left her in the car. >> No, my granddaughter and my daughter on the call. >> Okay. So, is your daughter of age? >> My daughter? Yes. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. I'm trying to find my ID. >> I have your ID right here. Oh, you have it? >> Yes, we have it right here. >> Okay. Um, can I see the video? Um, sorry. No. >> So, she came into the store, >> bought the products that are in there, >> concealed those other items. Where'd she conceal them? >> Uh, inside she got a lot of checking bags of >> the suspect paid for some items to appear legitimate while secretly placing additional merchandise into shopping bags without paying. Unfortunately for her, the cameras captured everything. >> I purchased two socks. He kept there was three extra socks. >> Okay. >> One type of return, but he didn't charge me for it. >> Okay. So, what's going to happen, and I'm going to explain it to you. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. You're going to have to go to our headquarters, okay? We're going to have to process you. Um, so yeah, you're going to have to go with us. This is why I asked you if your daughter is of age, she's an adult, she can stay with her, you're with your granddaughter, >> okay? Cuz she's going to have to. Okay? Cuz obviously, I wouldn't want to headquarters and see that. Okay? So, um, I'm just going to Do you have anything sharp on you? >> No. >> All right. Do me a favor. Stand up and just face that wall. Face that wall. >> Just want to make sure you don't have anything sharp. Okay. >> Why? >> I'm going to put your phone in your bag. Okay. >> What are these receipts? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. Face me. >> All right. Nothing here. All right. So, just turn around your hands back. >> I don't want to show up in the back. >> Where Where's your daughter? >> I don't know. We're going to bring >> Yeah, we're going to everything that you purchased your bag. >> We're going to leave. >> Oh, okay. >> No, that way you don't come with everything, you know. >> During questioning, she cited health and family problems, but the arrival of a relative outside the store only made the situation more chaotic. >> Do you know where the car is? Yeah. >> Where's it located? >> Uh, just go, you know, by driver where the target drive is. >> My personal. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Drive up. When you go to the drive, >> Yeah. When you go out, just make a left. >> Okay. >> What kind of car is that? >> It's a silver Honda. The SUV. >> That's the car. That's the car. >> Do you have the receipt for me before I go? >> Yeah. >> What's your name? Sorry. >> Janice. >> Janice. All right. your cell phoneific. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. >> Hello friends. All right. So, let me just put her in the car. >> Okay. We're going to >> um You want to show I'm sure. >> Yeah. >> Can you unlock this for me? Yeah. >> Thank you. >> All right. have a step on a little quicker. We're going to go right in here. Right here. Go up. >> Yeah. Just Make a left. Make a right. >> Are you a righty or a lefty? Despite her explanations, Janice Gonzalez was handcuffed, permanently banned from the store, and charged with shoplifting. She also admitted to a prior theft related arrest from years earlier. Selfch checkckout systems may seem easy to manipulate, but every transaction and every skipped item leaves a trail that cameras can easily verify.