Woman Asks OC Police During Theft Arrest If She'll Show Up On Their Instagram; Here's What Happens Next

IRVINE, CA — A 25-year-old woman was charged with theft at an Irvine Target, though she appeared to be more concerned with the police department's social media page than her actual arrest.

The incident happened over the weekend at an Irvine Target store, according to the Irvine Police Department. The specific location was not released.

Police said the store's loss prevention team saw the suspect, identified as a 25-year-old woman from Garden Grove, concealing items in a laundry basket before going to the self-checkout and switching the tag for the scanner.

The woman was stopped as she tried walking out of the store with the stolen items, police said.

According to video published by the Irvine Police Department, the woman said she was last arrested in 2025.

While the incident should have ended there, the woman had one last question for the officers while sitting in what appeared to be a back office in the Target store.

"Am I going to go on your Instagram?" she asked. "Because I'm really not trying to be on there. All I see on my Instagram feed is all Irvine PD."

"If you see all that, then you know that we’re very good at it," the officer replied.

"I have heard," she said in response.

According to the Irvine Police Department, the woman was attempting to steal a "Magic: The Gathering" Reality Fracture expansion set bundle and play boosters as well as at least one hair care product.

"We love meeting our social media followers, especially those who know not to commit crime in Irvine," the department said in a statement. "It turns out she has seen our previous post and knows how the story usually ends."