The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A woman is facing charges after allegedly using a child to help her steal over $1,000 worth of items from a local Target store.
On October 11, a woman with a youngster in tow went to Target in Cape Coral, Florida. According to reports, she filled her cart with large items including a vacuum cleaner and a barista-style coffee machine. When she was finished, the woman allegedly failed to pay for the merchandise and walked out of the store a few moments after the child, who was pushing the cart. Employees reportedly saw the incident and informed loss prevention.
Surveillance video from the time of the alleged theft was searched, and after they believed they saw footage of the robbery as it took place, the Cape Coral Police Department was notified. They opened an investigation, and they passed around an image of the suspect so additional officers could keep an eye out for her.
On October 17, a woman was reportedly soliciting donations from passersby, and someone called the authorities. When an officer went to the location and interacted with her, they believed she was the person seen in the security footage who was suspected of stealing from Target. She was taken into custody and booked into the Lee County Jail on suspicion of one count of grand theft — larceny over $750 but less than $5,000, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor by causing a child to commit an act of delinquency. According to facility records, she was released on a $15,000 bond.
According to reports, Target assessed that the total value of the missing merchandise was $1,111. The authorities had not disclosed the relationship between the suspect and the child, who was believed to be under the age of 10.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.