A Texas couple was humiliated when they were accused of trying to steal a pair of $3 earrings by an employee at Y Beauty Supply in Houston.
According to Yahoo! News, when Deadra Pattum and her fiancé, John Marsden, were checking out at the store, she noticed she had been overcharged on her receipt. When Pattum question the store employee, she was informed that she was overcharged because she and Marsden died to steal a $3 pair of earrings. However, the couple denied the accusations.
“I picked them up but I put them back,” said Pattum.
“The owner said you people always steal. And he said give me the earrings and I call police," said Marsden.
KHOU reported that the couple was forced to stay inside of the store and were ordered by the manager to have a strip search.
Marsden explained that he took his socks, shoes, and pants off and did as the store manager said because he was nervous.
A security officer showed up moments later and reviewed the surveillance video.
“She never left the counter with those earrings in her hand,” the guard said. “There was no evidence of shoplifting.”
Houston Police watched the tape and also agreed that there was no evidence of any shoplifting taking place.
“This was a classic case of racial profiling in its most humiliating form and something needs to be done about this," said community activist and leader of the New Black Panther Party in Houston, Quanell X.
The couple plans to press charges against the store and according to Mr. Marsden, they want more than just an apology.