A shocking family heist unfolded at a Target store in Palm Coast, Florida, on Black Friday. According to police, three generations of relatives— a 76-year-old grandmother, her 54-year-old daughter, and a child—worked together to steal hundreds of dollars’ worth of products. The items included cosmetics and alcohol, valued at nearly $400.
The unusual trio’s plan reportedly involved hiding stolen goods in the child’s backpack. Investigators from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said the grandmother and mother loaded up the bag with champagne, wine, and makeup, sending the child to walk out of the store without paying.
As the child approached the exit, a sharp-eyed employee intervened. She was taken to the store’s loss prevention office, where staff discovered cosmetic items stuffed inside her bag. Meanwhile, the mother and grandmother were busy trying to sneak out other stolen bottles.
Store employees later spotted the mother heading to her car in the parking lot, while the grandmother casually made a pit stop in the restroom. Neither seemed particularly concerned about their child, who was already caught.
Deputies soon arrived and rounded up the family. The stolen items were recovered, totaling $379 in value. “This mother and grandmother certainly won’t win any parenting awards,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said, expressing disbelief over the involvement of a child in their theft.
The adult women now face charges of shoplifting, petit theft, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. They’re being held on $650 bond each, while the child was handed over to her father.
“This is not how you celebrate the holiday season,” Sheriff Staly added. “We increased security on Black Friday to protect businesses and shoppers, but sadly, this family decided to ignore that and made some shameful choices.”
The identities of those involved were not released, but the incident has left the Palm Coast community shaking its head in disbelief.
