
Very low odds there was no theft. Loss Prevention have cameras and monitor like crazy now. They basically never call the cops without direct video evidence of shoplifting and often only after repeated offenses by the same individuals. The chargers weren’t followed up likely because of the events that transpired. How cruel would that look to the public to then also arrest them for shoplifting? But the cops weren’t called in for nothing.
I’m not going to deny that there are instances of police being corrupt and protecting their own. However, the narrative that black people are in any large capacity unsafe in police custody no longer holds water, and continuing to push the false claim increases the odds of encounters escalating. What I’m pointing at is the body cameras made it clear that people do in fact lie and shout abuse/racism when there is none, and the broader public is more aware of that.