What's with adults using their kids to steal?
For the second time this month, surveillance video has captured adults setting really poor examples for their children by having them take part in their heists.
The latest incident came over the weekend at a coffee shop in Chicago's Lincoln Square.
Erin Bogner was at the shop on Sunday and had her purse hanging on the back of her chair as she worked on the computer and sipped her coffee.
"In hindsight, I realize it wasn't very smart to put it there, but there weren't any hooks underneath, and I didn't want to put it on the floor," she said.
Surveillance video from the shop records a woman walk in with two children, one of whom immediately swipes something off a counter.
The trio can then be seen walking to the area where Bogner is sitting. Using the children as a shield, and with lightning speed, the adult lifts Bogner's wallet from her purse and stuffs it into one of the kid's jacket before darting out.
"Just seeing it, and actually turning them around, I just -- you know, you're just disgusted. You feel sorry for the kids," Bogner said. "It just became clear to me the more I watched it, how they were there for that one purpose and it was (to) get in, see what vulnerable people were there (and) obviously they saw me."
Earlier this month, surveillance video captured two young children shoplifting with their mother at a Macy's store in Ohio. Three Chicago-area adults and the two children were arrested.
"It's just a prime example of how children might end up to be poorly-behaved adults. I mean, those are the kind of examples you're setting," Bogner said.
It's a good rule year-round, but particularly during the holiday shopping season: keep your personal belongings secure.
Purses and bags should be kept close to the body or in front of you. When walking through a parking lot, keep it on the side where cars are parked. Carrying it on the other side makes it easier for someone to drive up and grab it. If you just carry a wallet, try to keep it in your front pocket.
No one is in custody in Bogner's pickpocketing incident.
