Opelousas Store Shares Photos of ‘Boudin Ball Bandits’, but Is It a Misunderstanding?

Locally owned businesses across Louisiana have felt inflation pressure more than anyone. The cost of everything has continued to increase, making it tough for small business owners.

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While the increase in the cost of goods has played a significant role in the added stress businesses are feeling, the impact of shoplifting and theft does not go undetected. Even big box stores like Target have had to make adjustments to prevent theft. So, if it's hurting the cost of goods in major retail stores, imagine the effect it has on small business owners.

Many times, when boutiques or local stores catch a shoplifter on their surveillance cameras, they post screenshots of the thieves on social media in hopes of having them identified. That's exactly what an Opelousas business owner did when she discovered her country store had been stolen from.

'Boudin Ball Bandits' or Misunderstanding?

The owner of Queb's Country Store, Michelle Sylvester, shared that a woman allegedly ordered boudin balls Monday afternoon and walked out without paying, "Anyone know who these boudin ball bandits are? Was cooked fresh, given to them & they walked out the door."

Any business owner can understand the frustration of being the victim of theft, no matter how big or small the theft is. The post was made on Facebook in hopes of having the couple who allegedly stole boudin balls from the store identified.

According to the owner, "She had food stamps & bought other things. She wanted to buy it with that, but we told her no, it’s illegal to sell hot food on snap. She told my cashier that she was going pay for it with the other cashier but left instead."

Staff working during the incident also spoke up in the comments, explaining that they did not think she wanted the boudin anymore based on the conversation they had with her.

Locals quickly identified both the man and woman in the comment section of her Facebook post. The woman accused of stealing the boudin balls responded in the comment section with her side of the story.

The owner and the alleged 'Boudin Bandit' have shared their side of the story while locals continue to discuss the incident in the comments.

A Small Act of Kindness Speaks Volumes

One commenter who is a frequent customer even offered to cover the cost of the stolen boudin because 'times may be hard' which is a small act of kindness that speaks volumes.

Hopefully, the situation can be rectified if there it was just a big misunderstanding.