A 'Stooping' Misunderstanding Leads to Arrest and Public Scrutiny

A routine practice of urban scavenging, known locally as "stooping," resulted in an unexpected legal ordeal for a Brooklyn resident earlier this month. Jocelyn Ullman, an interior decorator, was taken into custody and held for seven hours at a Bushwick precinct on July 15 after being accused of grand larceny.

The incident began on July 8, when Ullman discovered several rugs left on the sidewalk and steps outside a local vintage store, Chyelle. Believing the items were discarded following a flood at the business, Ullman collected them with the intention of cleaning and repurposing them.

Chyelle Milgrom, the owner of the shop, had placed the rugs outside overnight while managing water damage from a malfunctioning appliance. Milgrom stated that she contacted the NYPD only to satisfy a requirement from her landlord, who requested a police report before releasing security footage of the area. According to text messages shared with reporters, Milgrom explicitly informed the investigating detective that she did not wish to press charges or see anyone arrested, hoping only to recover her property.

Despite this, the NYPD issued a "Request for Media Attention," distributing surveillance images of Ullman to local news outlets and labeling the incident a grand larceny. The resulting media coverage and online attention caused significant distress for Ullman, who surrendered herself to the police the following morning upon learning she was a person of interest.

"The second they put the handcuffs on me, I was just sobbing," Ullman said, noting that she had no prior criminal record.

Following her seven-hour detention, Ullman was released without charges. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office has declined to comment on the matter, citing that the case is sealed. A spokesperson for the NYPD stated that the department was fulfilling its duty to investigate a reported felony, though they did not address the specifics of the arrest.

Both women have expressed regret over the escalation of the situation. Milgrom, who has faced public criticism online, apologized to Ullman for the outcome, noting that she never intended for the police to pursue a criminal case. The incident has sparked broader conversation regarding the legal ambiguity of reclaiming items left on city streets.