SerpApi.Org
A recent investigative report has documented allegations that women in multiple states have been targeted by men accused of lewd behavior inside Dollar Tree stores, raising concerns about whether the incidents are part of a broader pattern occurring at locations across the country. The investigation, published by The Guardian, compiled reports from victims, attorneys and law enforcement records spanning several years.
According to The Guardian, one of the cases involved a Texas woman who said she was shopping at a Dollar Tree in 2023 when a man allegedly performed a lewd act on her without her knowledge. The woman told the publication that after reporting the incident to store employees, she overheard one employee remark in Spanish that it was “another one,” leading her to believe similar incidents had occurred previously. Her attorney, Anna Greenberg, told the newspaper that additional reports from around the country suggested the problem was more widespread than initially believed.
The investigation said online communities have used terms such as “tagging” and “sharking” to describe acts in which perpetrators allegedly expose themselves or ejaculate on unsuspecting victims in public places. Researchers interviewed by The Guardian said the behavior has been discussed within online forums associated with the “gooning” subculture.
One of the most widely publicized cases occurred in Philadelphia in 2024, when a woman posted a video after saying a man had performed a lewd act on her inside a Dollar Tree store. The case gained widespread attention on social media before the suspect surrendered to police. Court records later showed the man pleaded guilty to charges including indecent exposure, open lewdness and indecent assault without the victim’s consent.
The Guardian also highlighted a Texas case involving a sheriff’s deputy who was accused of exposing himself to a woman inside a Dollar Tree. Local television station KTRK reported the deputy was charged with indecent exposure and was later relieved of duty while the criminal case proceeded.
Reports of similar behavior predate the recent investigation. In 2019, NBC San Diego reported on a California woman who said a man took part in lewd behavior in front of her while she was shopping inside a Dollar Tree store. The victim told the television station she worried the suspect could target children if left unchecked.
In response to questions about the investigation, Dollar Tree said customer and employee safety remains a top priority. The company said it considers reports of unlawful or harassing conduct unacceptable, works with law enforcement during criminal investigations and continues to review security procedures, employee training and other safety measures designed to protect shoppers and workers.
ALSO TRENDING: This winter could be unlike anything in years
ALSO TRENDING: A mysterious symbol is appearing across Las Vegas - and everyone has a theory
ALSO TRENDING: Kentucky man lost his job over a $1.95 purchase. Then everything changed
©2026 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
