Clearwater Police say a woman was caught stealing from Target and used two young children to hide the items.
Gabriela Perez-Chavez, 28, is charged with Shoplifting after police say she tried to walk out of the Target on Gulf to Bay Blvd Tuesday afternoon with about $500 worth of items she didn’t pay for.
“She had basically gone through the store selected a number of outfits, clothing wise, stuffed animals, different items and stuffed them in backpacks that were then strapped to the backs of the children. In one case — the younger child had stolen items under the seat she had in the stroller,” said Rob Shaw, Public Information Officer with the Clearwater Police Department.
Officers looked through the backpacks and stroller and found several outfits for children, toys, coloring books, markers, tape and scissors. Shaw says it looked like back-to-school shopping.
“Sometimes people do desperate things, when they are desperate. That is no excuse to commit a crime. There are a number of organization in and around the community that are ready to help,” said Shaw.
One organization that can help with back-to-school items is The Salvation Army.
Perez-Chavez will have her first appearance in Pinellas County court Wednesday afternoon at 1:30. She is being held on an I.C.E. hold.
