A Florida woman and her young daughter were arrested at Disney Springs last month after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from various stores.
Ivette Perez was arrested about an hour before Disney Springs closed on April 13 after a Cast Member noticed a young girl putting numerous pins into her bag and leaving without paying for them.
One Disney Pin Traders employee estimated that the girl stole 15 pins, while another put the number closer to 40.
Perez Allegedly Confessed to the Thefts
When Orange County deputies confronted the mother and daughter, they reportedly had more than $2,000 worth of stolen merchandise in their possession.
According to FOX 35, the police report notes that Perez told deputies she knew her daughter was stealing items and that she did not have enough money to pay for them. Perez also allegedly had stolen merchandise in her possession.
“She advised me post-Miranda that she knew (redacted) was stealing the product as her daughter did not have the money to purchase that many items. She did not want to intervene and instead contributed, aided, and abetted the thefts by allowing (redacted) to keep the stolen items,” the report stated.
The Text Messages
In addition to allowing her daughter to steal Disney merchandise, Perez allegedly coordinated the thefts by distracting Cast Members while the young girl took the items.
After being confronted by deputies, she also voluntarily provided text messages that showed her texting her daughter to hurry up.
“She advised (redacted) to return to the car. So that they would not be discovered holding all the bags,” the report said.
Arrest and Aftermath
Perez was subsequently charged with grand theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
She was booked by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and later pleaded not guilty…