Zara Wrongly Accused Me of Theft and Followed My Family at Metromall for 25 Minutes
On 29.09.2024, my wife and daughter went shopping at Metromall AVM. We entered the ZARA store, where we frequently shop for my daughter's needs, and after paying for two items of clothing, we left. While my wife and daughter went downstairs to explore Porland, I headed to the Decathlon store. After about 20 minutes, I finished and took the escalator down, crossing paths with my wife and daughter, who were going upstairs. We smiled at each other as we passed, but when I rejoined them, they were waiting at the top of the stairs with a man sent by the ZARA store.
As I approached, I noticed they were visibly scared and anxious. I asked the man what was going on. He asked if we had shopped at ZARA, and I confirmed, showing him the receipt. He then accused us of leaving the store without paying for a coat. I firmly denied this and showed him what we had purchased. He insisted, saying there was video evidence. I asked to see the footage, but he told me I could view it at the police station. I replied, "If it's not me in the footage, I will meet you at the station."
As we walked toward the store, he continued accusing me, claiming there was another man with us and that we were "organized." For 25 minutes, he followed us, even referencing how we had smiled at each other on the escalator, as if that were suspicious. Once inside the store, I demanded to see the footage, but he kept showing me the coat he claimed I stole, which was absurd. I said, "Are you joking? Show me the footage where you think it's me."
At that moment, the store manager arrived. I asked him directly where the footage was, saying I would call the police if they didn’t show it. He responded, claiming they couldn't access the footage immediately due to the closed-circuit camera system. I asked how they could accuse me so confidently without seeing the footage. It was clear there was no evidence, and yet they had accused me and my family of theft.
I immediately called the police. Before they arrived, the store staff tried multiple times to apologize and claim it was a misunderstanding, but I refused to speak to them. When the police came, the necessary procedures were taken. Today, I will go to the police station to file a formal complaint against both the METROMALL ZARA store and the individual named Tolga, whom I later learned had followed us for 25 minutes. I will pursue all legal avenues to resolve this injustice.
