Swiss retiree accused of theft after self-checkout error

Therese Stooss, a 70-year-old retiree from Bern, Switzerland, was recently accused of theft after a mistake at a supermarket self-checkout machine. While attempting to save time before a dental appointment, Stooss used a self-service kiosk for the first time and failed to register a small plastic bag and one unidentified item, resulting in a total payment of 24 francs.

Four months after the incident, local police summoned Stooss for an official interrogation. The investigation involved intensive procedures, including photographing the woman and taking her fingerprints. Stooss expressed shock at the treatment, stating, “I felt like a dangerous criminal.” The supermarket is currently seeking 300 francs in compensation from the customer.