Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Milano Market Employee Says Forest Whitaker Frisking Was "Honest Mistake"
By
Ben Yakas
Published Feb 17, 2013
Modified Feb 17, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Pacific Coast News
By
Ben Yakas
Published Feb 17, 2013
Modified Feb 17, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
On Friday, Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker was accused of being a shoplifter, and subsequently frisked in public, by an employee at a deli near Columbia University. Whitaker, who is in town filming Black Nativity, had stopped by Milano Market to buy a yogurt before filming that day when the incident happened. A store employee told the News that the overzealous employee had made an innocent mistake: "It was around lunchtime and the store was packed," the anonymous employee said. "We were like 50 people deep. The person walked in and out really quickly so our person just made a mistake. The employee apologized immediately. It was an honest mistake. I've been here 14 years and nothing like this has ever happened."
Witness Nicole B., who was at the store when the incident happened, told us she saw an employee patting him up and down very aggressively. "He was quiet at first, I think in shock," she said. "When they didn't find anything, they told him to leave at which point he said, "No, I want to speak with someone. You can't just touch me like this." Everyone in the store was quiet and in shock."
Whitaker's rep told TMZ, "This was an upsetting incident given the fact that Forest did nothing more than walk into the deli. What is most unfortunate about this situation is the inappropriate way store employees are treating patrons of their establishment. Frisking individuals without proof/evidence is a violation of rights."
The rep added, "Forest did not call the authorities at the request of the worker who was in fear of losing his employment. Forest asked that, in the future, the store change their behavior and treat the public in a fair and just manner.”
Whitaker filming "Black Nativity" earlier this month (Pacific Coast News)
Whitaker's driver, Reggie Crupe, told the Post he was parked outside when the incident occurred. After Whitaker exited the store, “an employee came outside to speak with him and to apologize,” Crupe said. “He told Mr. Whitaker that the cameras in the store were at a bad angle and that he could not see if Forest had stolen anything.” He added that the employee also offered free food to make up for the mistake.
Not everyone thinks the frisking was an honest make though. Nicole, a regular at the deli, told us she has "seen the guys there do this to a black customer before. I have also heard them say some racist crap about the Obamas too." Another former customer, Terrell Williams, told the Post, “They didn’t want to serve me coffee. They claimed they didn’t have any. Then I saw a white man come out with a big cup of coffee.” And tons of people have taken to Milano's Yelp page in the past day to complain as well.
Tagged
forest whitaker
frisked
milano market
outrage
stealing
Upper West Side
uws
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .