Couple forced into strip-search over $3 earrings
A Houston couple says they were intimidated into a strip search over $3 earrings while shopping at a local beauty supply store.
Deadra Pattum and her fiance John Marsden say they were humiliated inside of Y Beauty Supply when they stopped by to purchase some hair extensions.
“I’m not a thief,” said Pattum. They said they were over-billed for a pair of $3 earrings they never took.
“I picked them up but I put them back,” said Pattum. “The owner said you people always steal,” said Marsden. “And he said give me the earrings and I call police. My rights were revoked.
The couple claimed they were threatened and forced to remain in that store. Marsden said he was intimidated by the manager and ordered to strip down and be searched. “So I took off my socks and shoes and I took off my pants,” said Marsden. “I was nervous.”
A security officer showed up, looked at surveillance video and determined that neither Pattum “never left the counter with those earrings in her hand.”
Houston Police agreed, finding no evidence of shoplifting. The owners of the store refused the discuss the incident, but said that shoplifting is a huge problem for their business.
This sounds like a clear case of racial profiling. What should happen next?
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