In a recent viral post on social media platform “X”, Sheriff Jim Cooper of California’s Sacramento County has accused retail giant Target of preventing his deputies from effectively combating rampant shoplifting incidents.

The sheriff, known for his conservative viewpoints, took to social media to express his frustration, stating, “We don’t tell big retail how to do their jobs, they shouldn’t tell us how to do ours.”

According to Cooper, Target, one of the largest retailers in the United States, had repeatedly sought assistance from his office in dealing with shoplifters, often described as “known transients.”

In response, the sheriff’s office and Target had collaborated on an operation to apprehend these shoplifters. However, their efforts hit a roadblock when Target executives imposed a set of restrictive rules on how deputies and detectives could apprehend suspects.

During a briefing, the head of regional security for Target informed law enforcement that they could not contact suspects inside the store, handcuff them within the store, or process arrests on-site; instead, they were asked to do so outside, even in inclement weather conditions.

Sheriff Cooper expressed disbelief at the situation, emphasizing, “I can’t make this stuff up.”

The sheriff contended that Target’s stringent rules were motivated by a desire to avoid negative publicity. He claimed that the company was more concerned about not creating a scene inside the store that could be filmed and shared on social media, thereby avoiding negative press.

“This wasn’t a suggestion, they gave us a list of their rules,” Sheriff Cooper continued, adding, “At the briefing, we were told by their head of regional security that we could not contact suspects inside the store; we could not handcuff suspects in the store; and if we arrested someone, they wanted us to process them outside… behind the store… in the rain.”

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This incident highlights the broader issue of organized retail crime plaguing major metropolitan areas in the United States. A recent study by the National Retail Federation identified Sacramento as one of the cities most affected by this phenomenon, ranking seventh alongside Chicago.

Cooper’s frustration was compounded when his deputies witnessed a woman brazenly stealing body washes from the store shelves during their operation. Despite this clear act of theft, Target chose not to intervene, allowing the incident to unfold without consequence.

“Our deputies watched a lady on camera bring in her own shopping bags, go down the body wash isle [sic], and grab a bunch of Native body washes. Then she went to customer service and return them! Target chose to do nothing and simply let it happen,” he wrote.

Sheriff Cooper also criticized Target’s response to the shoplifting problem, accusing the company of locking up essential items and raising prices on everyday goods. “Yet somehow, locking up deodorant and raising prices on everyday items we need to survive is their best answer,” Cooper added.

Fox News Digital reached out to Target for their response to these allegations but received no answer.

The entire situation is stunning. Theft is so rampant it is creating a nightmare for average consumers with higher prices, excessive intervention methods by retailers locking up everyday items, raised prices and, in some places, store closures.

Target essentially cried “wolf,” calling law enforcement only to pull a “Peter” and say “just kidding,” we don’t want the bad publicity. Are you kidding? How would they rather have constant social media posts of blatant thefts than of police rectifying the situation? Pure insanity.

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