A New York woman is recounting a frightening encounter at Target after a man allegedly followed her through the store, lingered near the entrance, and hid behind a purple box truck as she drove away. The woman said she became increasingly uncomfortable with the stranger’s behavior and sought help from store employees before leaving. His intentions remain unclear, but the experience has prompted warnings about trusting your instincts when something feels wrong.
The woman shared her account on TikTok under the username @ooniebologna, where the video gained more than one million views. Her story drew concern from viewers, many of whom said they were relieved she recognized the warning signs and asked for help rather than dismissing her concerns.
She said she had been shopping alone while talking to her mother on the phone when she noticed a man walking unusually close behind her. He later appeared in several aisles, including those selling women’s products, making her increasingly uneasy.
The encounter became stranger in the energy drink aisle, where the man allegedly approached her with a worn-looking sweater and claimed she had dropped it. She said the sweater was not hers and continued shopping, but later noticed him following her toward the checkout.
After the transaction, the man reportedly remained near the entrance instead of leaving. The New York woman alerted a Target employee while staying on the phone with her mother. Another shopper also noticed the situation and offered to accompany her outside.
An employee eventually escorted the woman to her car. However, as she drove down the exit ramp, she spotted a battered purple box truck and claimed to see the same man hiding behind it. She said he laughed before running back toward the vehicle.
New York Woman’s Target Trip Has Viewers on Edge
The story left viewers seriously creeped out, with many expressing relief that she trusted her instincts. One recurring question in the comments was why similar unsettling encounters seemed to happen so often at Target.
Several viewers urged her to check her car for tracking devices and report the incident to police. The man’s reported laughter and alleged attempt to hide behind the truck made the situation even more disturbing. Some commenters speculated about stalking or trafficking, but no evidence was provided to establish his intentions.
One user shared a personal perspective, writing, “As a victim of sexual assault, it’s true. Somehow their facial structure changes and they become evil. It’s weird, but that’s when you know you’re in trouble. It’s like something overtakes them. I’m so happy you are OK!”
The takeaway from viewers was straightforward: staying alert and asking for help is better than ignoring warning signs. And apparently, for some shoppers, a trip to Target now comes with an unexpected reminder to keep an eye on who’s following them.
