Father Says 20-Year Military Veteran and 14-Year-Old Daughter Were Falsely Accused of Shoplifting at Virginia Mall
WOODBRIDGE, Virginia — A Virginia father says he and his 14-year-old daughter were publicly humiliated after police were called on them over allegations that the teenager stole a pair of jeans that had actually been purchased at another store inside Potomac Mills Mall.
Charles Smith, a U.S. military veteran who served for 20 years, said he was shopping with his daughter Tuesday evening when they stopped inside a True Religion store after making purchases at another retailer. Smith said his daughter was wearing jeans they had already bought elsewhere in the mall and that they even offered to show officers the receipt proving the purchase.
According to Smith, while browsing inside the store, an employee repeatedly monitored the pair as they shopped. As they prepared to leave, Smith said they were met by multiple police officers outside the entrance after the store manager reported an alleged shoplifting incident.
Prince William County Police confirmed officers responded to a reported shoplifting call at the mall but said no criminal charges were filed and no enforcement action was taken.
Video from the encounter has since gone viral online, showing several officers and mall security personnel speaking with Smith and his daughter inside Potomac Mills Mall.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning why police were called after the family reportedly offered proof that the jeans had been purchased from another store. Others have expressed concern over the emotional impact the encounter may have had on Smith’s teenage daughter.
As of now, neither Prince William County Police nor True Religion has announced any disciplinary action or released additional details regarding the incident.
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