She noticed the same stranger following her through the store — one smart move with the store manager helped keep her safe
A stranger appearing in the same aisle once may not mean much, but seeing the same person repeatedly can raise concern. Jewelry designer and content creator Abby Evrard experienced this while shopping at a large store and began noticing a man who seemed to keep appearing near her. What first seemed unusual soon became more concerning, and one smart decision she later made with the store manager helped keep her safe. Abby shared the incident in an Instagram reel posted on September 3, 2026, on her account @abby.evrard, hoping her experience would make others more alert.
Abby said she noticed the man staring at her and decided to keep track of how many times their paths crossed. Within five minutes, she saw him in three different sections. She also noticed that his cart only had a 24-pack of beer, even while he was in the home goods area. When she saw him again at the checkout lane beside hers, she decided to act and called for a manager and security. She was told to stay at the checkout while security came to her. "That's enough," she recalled thinking before asking for help.
Taking a concern seriously can help someone stay safer before a situation becomes more serious. While Abby waited, the man went into the restroom after noticing that she was not leaving yet. Security later walked her to her car, where they saw the same man again in the parking lot. This allowed security to identify his vehicle and get its details from the parking lot footage. The content creator did not enter her car until she felt sure the man was no longer close enough to follow her. She stressed that anyone with similar concerns should tell someone before leaving the store.
Her experience also showed why staying alert does not depend on the time of day. Abby explained that the incident took place around 8:45 in the morning, rather than late at night when someone can expect greater risk. She encouraged viewers to notice repeated encounters and ask whether a person has any clear reason to be nearby. "Never ever leave the story if you have any inkling that someone might be following you," she said. Her main message was simple: if something feels wrong, pay attention, seek help, and wait until you feel safe before leaving.
Being vigilant of one's surroundings is very important, no matter where you are. In another similar incident, a woman shopping alone received an unexpected warning from store employees after they noticed suspicious behavior around her. A manager showed her footage of a man inside the store and asked whether she knew him. When she said no, the employee explained, "He's been following you for a majority of your trip in the store." Staff then made sure she did not walk to her car alone, helping with her groceries and asking her to lock the doors before leaving. She later reminded others, "Be aware of your surroundings," even during simple daily activities.
For more interesting stories, follow @abby.evrard on her Instagram account.