A recent incident at the Costco in Cherry Hill has brought to light allegations of racial profiling and unlawful detainment against a 49-year-old New Jersey small business owner. The incident, which occurred on September 26th, 2023, has reignited discussions about the rise of bias incidents in the state.
The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous out of fear of further retaliation, alleges that he was targeted solely because of his race. Despite being a member of Costco for fifteen years with a clean record, he claims that he was handcuffed and placed in a police car based on false accusations of shoplifting and trespassing.
The victim, who identifies as black and gay, holds a doctorate and works as an advanced practice nurse, with a successful history as a business owner and university professor. However, he alleges that Costco employees viewed him with suspicion, leading to the distressing incident in February 2024.
According to the victim, the mistreatment culminated in a Costco employee taunting him with a hand symbol that is listed as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League.
These incidents echo a troubling pattern highlighted in the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General’s “Bias Incident Report 2021-2022,” which shows a significant increase in reported bias incidents across the state, particularly affecting Black communities.
Despite the victim’s requests, Costco has failed to produce evidence supporting its accusations or charge him with any crime. Similarly, the State of NJ has declined to press charges against him for shoplifting.
“This isn’t about a membership or a purchase,” says the victim. “This is about a pattern of bias and intimidation. They’re using the legal system to silence me.”
The victim has reached out to Costco’s CEO and regional management for a resolution but has not received satisfactory responses. He is now calling on the Board of Directors to thoroughly investigate the incident, hold employees accountable, and implement changes to prevent future occurrences.
While Costco has not yet responded to specific allegations, the company has previously emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
This incident sheds light on the urgent need to address racial profiling within retail establishments. As New Jersey grapples with increased bias incidents, Costco’s response to these allegations will be closely monitored.
