Portland Shoplifter Tackled at Fred Meyer, But Cameraman Defends Her in Viral Video: ‘Holy Cringe White Knight’

PORTLAND, OR – A Portland shoplifter was caught and restrained by security guards at a Fred Meyer store, but the incident sparked viral debate when a cameraman stepped in to defend her — drawing ridicule online as a “holy cringe white knight.”

Shoplifter Caught in the Act

The video, uploaded to Reddit, shows two store security guards detaining a woman accused of trying to steal. The male guard held her firmly to stop her from fleeing while the female guard searched her clothes for stolen items.

The woman struggled and demanded to be released, but the guards pressed forward until they were sure nothing else was concealed. Once the search ended, they escorted her outside the store and continued to monitor her to ensure she wouldn’t return.

Portland shoplifter shakedown!
byu/Prize_Championship11 inActualPublicFreakouts

Bystander Steps In

Instead of supporting the guards, the cameraman filming the scene began challenging them. He argued that since they weren’t police officers, they had “no right” to restrain the woman.

The guards, however, largely ignored him and focused on removing the shoplifter from the property. Annoyed, the cameraman confronted the female guard outside, only to be told that the woman had assaulted her earlier, which justified the restraint.

Internet Reacts: ‘Cringe White Knight’

The footage quickly went viral online, where viewers overwhelmingly mocked the cameraman.

• “Holy cringe white knight,” one Redditor wrote.
• Another said, “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about — these guards deal with this every day.”
• A user who claimed to know the guards personally explained that the shoplifter was a repeat offender known around Portland and that the security team acted within policy.

Not a Victim, Say Locals

According to comments, the shoplifter has a history of causing trouble in the area, with one Redditor bluntly calling her “a complete criminal and a drug addict.” Others defended the guards, saying they handled the incident without excessive force, ensuring customer and employee safety.

Do you think the Portland cameraman was right to intervene, or did he embarrass himself by defending someone caught stealing? Share your thoughts now on FatCityFeed.com.