Viral video shows 3 people ransacking makeup section of SF Walgreens store

A viral video recorded by ABC7 News reporter J. R. Stone showcases three individuals brazenly stealing makeup products from a Walgreens store located at 1st and Mission in San Francisco's Financial District. The theft occurred shortly after 7 p. m.

, with the individuals seen filling backpacks with various cosmetics, including lipstick and eyeliner. Stone noted that a security guard was present but did not seem effective in stopping the theft, as he filmed the incident instead of intervening. Employees at the store reportedly laughed about the situation, indicating that such occurrences are not new to them. This Walgreens is among the last remaining stores in the Financial District, highlighting the area's declining retail presence. In January, Walgreens had announced the closure of 12 stores in San Francisco, attributing the closures to financial pressures related to rent and staffing costs.

The company emphasized its commitment to community service but acknowledged that store closures were sometimes necessary. The persistent issue of retail theft raises broader questions about public safety and the sustainability of retail businesses in urban environments.