Unjustly Accused: The Targeting of a Black Customer in a Jewelry Store

Black Customer is Framed for Theft at Jewelry Store

While a woman of color is perusing the jewelry department of a posh store, a white man puts a gold bracelet in her purse and accuses her of stealing it. Then, after dragging her into his office, he makes threats to call the police if she disobeys him.

Store manager David, of Paradise Diamonds, an upscale jewelry store in Oakville, grinned smugly as he saw the police remove another man of color who had been wrongfully implicated. “Another one bites the dust, Sheriff,” he said to his law enforcement buddy, taking pleasure in the deceit.

When sales clerk Natali noticed the unfairness and the police cruisers vanished, she challenged David. That, Mr. Peterson, was a mess. Her voice trembled with emotion as she continued, “He didn’t do anything.”

David smirked and turned his back on her. “Natali, this is business. And I make the moral decisions. Recall that no one controls me.”

As a single mother who depended on her work, Natali struggled with deciding whether to speak up or keep quiet. However, framing someone is plain horrible. Knowing better than to stand in David’s way, she argued, “He’s innocent.”

David threatened her, saying, “You keep flapping your gums, and you might find yourself in deeper trouble.” “Remember that quiet is precious. Here, as the STORE MANAGER, I set the guidelines.”

A victim of circumstance, Natali decided to remain silent for the benefit of her kid but cautioned David, saying, “Mr. Peterson, watch your back.” Karma is a cunning little prick.”

Smirking, David brushed her off and went back to his office, where he saw on the CCTV a new target: a black woman looking through the jewelry section.

David headed to the jewelry department and, waiting for the perfect moment, slipped a gold bracelet into the woman’s purse. The store alarms went off, drawing everyone’s attention, as she attempted to exit to take a call.

“Whoa, what’s going on?” a confused consumer asked.

Another person said, “I think someone stole something!”

David melted into the background, his worried expression reflecting that of the gullible customers.

“What’s happening, Mr. Peterson?” Natali walked up to him and asked. “Wait…did you just—”

It appears that there is another thief in the shop. Stop, Miss, and stay put!” David interrupted Natali, his mouth curving into a false smile as he fixed Naomi with his eyes.

“Ma’am, I’m going to need you to accompany me,” David said, advancing toward Naomi.

“What? Why? “It’s not like I did anything,” she argued.

David gestured to a line of wristbands. “I observed you glancing at the bracelets. Then one disappears. Doll, it’s not complicated at all. I have to put you in detention since you took it. You had better come with me and stop wasting my time.”

Naomi’s chin remained raised, but her breath caught. “No,” she spit out. “There is nothing that I stole. The alarms you have are broken. Now, here, right now, empty my luggage. Nothing is hidden from me.”

David responded, “Okay,” happy that Naomi had suggested the search.

Everyone, even Naomi, was shocked when he opened her purse and saw the price-tagged, sparkling bracelet fall out. She exclaimed, “Oh god, I… I didn’t steal this bracelet!”

“Nothing to hide, huh?” David held up the bracelet and sneered.

“I promise. Please. You must have faith in me. I didn’t—”

“Take no more breaths. The evidence is self-explanatory. David screamed, “Follow me to my office,” sending a humiliated Naomi running.

Naomi faced David in the office. “It’s not a stolen bracelet. It seems like a setup to me. Have you seen the video? “I can afford to buy five of these bracelets, so why would I steal?” she questioned, displaying her platinum credit card.

Her platinum card caught David off surprise, so he shot back, saying, “Dorror, the evidence speaks for itself. Simply said, you place it in your purse.”

She objected, glancing at the congested office space’s CCTV monitors, “I don’t think so!” “Mr. Manager, think about this. Perhaps there is an attempt to frame me. You need to identify the perpetrator by looking through the CCTV footage. You cannot simply accuse me of a crime without providing substantial proof.”

David’s eyes got bigger. “Evidence, eh?” he asked with a frown, his gaze fixed on Naomi. “All right, let’s see about that. But first, dear, could we just have a little privacy? Would you mind if I shut that door?”

Naomi’s panicked state increased when David shut the door. Her eyes flew across the room, settling on the offensive posters that covered the walls. Curvaceous and barely clothed women gazed back with empty eyes. Naomi’s stomach knotted.

She pounded on the door and said, “Open the door!” “This isn’t just about a bracelet, is it?” With a beating heart, Naomi enquired.

David brushed her worries aside, unmoved. “Calm down, I’m not into you. I wouldn’t do anything with you even if you were the last woman on the earth!”

“Then what do you want?” Desperately, Naomi inquired. My son is waiting for me, see? I’m a mother by myself. I can’t stay here,” she murmured, attempting to elicit pity.

Shaking his head, David laughed. Would you please have a seat and become comfortable? This is not an appeal. You don’t want to be in jail tonight, I promise, wondering about your child’s holiday plans.”

How else would he allow me to go?

She reluctantly took a seat and watched as David played back security camera footage showing him putting the bracelet in her luggage.

She questioned, perplexed, “You framed me?”

His features twisted in an odd way as he turned to face her, a mixture of uneasiness and interest. His voice tense, “It seems… you didn’t put the bracelet in your bag,” he conceded. Yes, you’re correct, sweetie! I succeeded! And now what?” he mocked.

Stunned, Naomi gazed at him. “So… you’re saying I’m…”

“Innocent,” David concluded, cutting off his voice. “However, who will take you seriously? Simply glance at you. Who, huh, honey, will believe your word instead of mine? Here, all the regulations are made by myself. You are a damn good thief, too, if I say so.”

Naomi’s visceral, bottled-up rage finally burst forth. “So everything was a farce? “Some sick game you play with your store’s female customers who are of color?”

David snorted. “My dear, don’t use the racial card. This isn’t some deranged fantasy—this is business. You ought to have given it some more thinking before entering such a posh jewelry store! Do you see those folks over there?” David gestured to a sector crowded with Caucasian customers.

“If I tell you one of them stole anything from a store, nobody will believe me. Compared to folks like you, they don’t exactly look like thieves. My sweetheart, it’s all business.”

A blaring alarm suddenly distracted them. David looked at the monitor and saw that yet another victim was being set up. “Stay here, and don’t try to act smart.”

Naomi was left locked in the room as he hurried out. There was nowhere to run to in the workplace, and her phone was dead. The oppressive silence was broken by a loud bang and the frenzied squeak of hinges, just when she believed she would be locked there forever.

Natali stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with fright and her cheeks flushed, as a neighboring door suddenly burst open. She gave Naomi money and advised her to run.

“Why are you giving me money?” Naomi scowled at herself.

“Just a little token of regret. He has been at this for several months. I am aware that you would consider me to be a terrible person, but would this money prevent you from reporting this establishment? Like many of us here, I truly need this job to stick around. I apologize, but I’m really desperate. With tears welling up in her eyes, Natali choked out. She tried to persuade Naomi not to hold the entire store accountable for David’s actions, explaining his plot to frame Black customers.

Naomi was resolved to confront David and clear her name, so she refused to go or take the money.

But please, Naomi! You need to consider your own security. How about if…”

Natali’s cries were abruptly interrupted by the muffled sound of heavy footsteps echoing around the room. David would arrive.

With a raspy “Go,” Naomi squeezed Natali’s shoulders. “Please get back to your work. I will take care of things.”

Natali looked at Naomi, a look of amazement on her face, and the two of them exchanged wordless glances. Subsequently, she gave one last, desperate nod and slid out of the office, the door clicking shut behind her.

“Well, well, well,” David barked as he walked in. “Observe who chose to remain here. What have you decided, then? Are you prepared to go to jail? or pay attention to me?”

“Since I didn’t take anything, I don’t have to follow your instructions! The video provides evidence of my innocence.” Naomi retorted.

David walked up to the desk, chuckled, and hit a button on his computer to erase the video.

“Evidence? What evidence? Whoops, the system has a glitch. David teased her, saying, ‘Now it’s just you and your reported theft. “And the only person who can assist you is me. There is a modest price to your freedom: $500. Do you believe you can afford it, my love?

“But this is all wrong!” Naomi objected. “Why should I give you money? That bracelet was sown by you! You set me up!”

David enjoyed her desperation and revealed he profited from these kinds of situations. “Like I said, darling, this is all business. You understand, it varies. “There are times when I earn over two thousand dollars a day,” he declared. “I’m only asking $500 for your freedom.”

“You’re sick!” Naomi spit out.

David leaned in closer, saying, “And you shouldve chosen a different store, sweetheart.” “These baubles, these diamonds, are not for people like you. Is this all you can afford to do, just window shop?”

“Please, David,” she begged, reaching out of instinct. “Please let me go. I swear I won’t tell anyone.”

When her hand got close to his arm, he flinched back, a look of disgust twisted in his features.

He spat, “Stay back,” his voice tight with an unanticipated, sudden fear. “Avoid touching me. I want none of your illnesses. Jesus! It’s taking longer than I thought it would. 500 dollars or go to jail? Make a quick decision.”

Naomi gave in and gave him the money he had demanded, tears welling up in her eyes. Nevertheless, David made a police call.

“Getting ‘thieves’ arrested earns me an even juicy bonus at work! This year, I’m definitely going to get a nice bonus and promoted! I’m so excited, honey!”

Naomi was taken aback. “David, you find this funny? I promise you that you will pay for this.”

Naomi and David headed back to the shopping area as he heard the sirens blaring outside. She was surrounded by whispers while being accused of stealing.

With a sigh, Officer Daniels and his companion—friends of David—came over to them. “David, not once more. “Three pilfers within a day?” Daniels was asked.

She intervened as he was about to handcuff Naomi, saying, “Officer, hold your horses. Give me a call, Nola. I am known by some as Mrs. Watts.”

Natali heard shocked whispers throughout the room when she realized the name: it belonged to the person who owned Paradise Diamonds.

Subsequently, Nola disclosed that she had conducted an undercover investigation to uncover discrimination in her stores. “I heard a few rumors about crimes committed against people of color specifically. Not that I could have ignored them? After all, I am the owner of the jewelry store chain.”

Daniels started to stutter, still in shock over the realization. David couldn’t put the man in jail because he was his friend.

“Mrs. Watts, look, I… I had no idea—”

Nola abruptly interrupted Daniels, “No excuses, Officer,” in an icy tone. “Remember that the law is meant to be blind? Who gets justice and who gets framed shouldn’t be determined by color. Take him into custody! He’s been let go!”

“I can’t be fired like that! I must have this job!” David stammered. Furthermore, there isn’t any evidence or proof! This is completely unfounded.”

Just then, a loud, distinct voice came from the throng. It was Natali, her eyes gleaming with her newly discovered bravery. She said, “There’s a ton of evidence.” “I’m ready to testify in court, to tell the truth about everything I’ve seen.”

David made a desperate move and lunged at Natali, but the officers quickly restrained him and took him away.

Natali was immediately promoted to manager by Nola, who thanked her for her bravery. Her words were, “Congratulations, Natali!”

Natali felt her breath constrict. Her mouth quivered with a mix of surprise and happiness.

She could only say, “Thank you,” to Nola, who gave her a smile and turned to leave, confident that the store was in good hands.