Grandma joins her daughter and grandchild for holiday shoplifting, Florida cops say

A holiday weekend family gathering turned into a group arrest when three generations teamed up for a Black Friday shoplifting spree at Target, according to Florida investigators.

The suspects include a 76-year-old grandmother, her 54-year-old daughter and one juvenile grandchild, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said in a Dec. 3 news release.

They are collectively accused of swiping nearly $400 in cosmetics and booze from the Target in Palm Coast on Friday, Nov. 29, the sheriff’s office said. Palm Coast is just over an 80-mile drive northeast of Orlando.

“Prior to deputies arrival, a Target loss prevention specialist had taken a (child) into custody. The employee had observed the juvenile female placing cosmetic products into her backpack,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Additionally, two adult females ... had placed multiple bottles of wine and champagne into the juvenile’s backpack. She then bypassed all points of sale and attempted to exit the store, at which point she was approached by the store employee and escorted to the loss prevention office.”

The two adults also tried to leave with stolen goods by shoving bottles of wine and champagne into bags, the sheriff’s office said. The 54-year-old woman then “walked to her vehicle in the parking lot” with the bottles, while her mother went to the restroom, officials say.

Deputies found both women outside the store and told them the girl had been caught.

“Once all three subjects were in custody, it was determined that they had attempted to steal $379.55 worth of cosmetics and alcoholic beverages,” the sheriff’s office said.

The two women were charged with shoplifting, petit theft and contributing to the delinquency of a child, and released on $650 bond, officials said. The girl “was turned over to the custody of her father.”

“This mother and grandmother certainly won’t win mother and grandmother of the year,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in the release.

“We told our community that we would have an increased presence protecting our businesses and shoppers on Black Friday, but unfortunately, this family didn’t listen. ...They involved a child in their criminal acts, which is a shameful thing.”

This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 5:47 AM with the headline "Grandma joins her daughter and grandchild for holiday shoplifting, Florida cops say."