ID Theft Ring Involves 8-Year-Old: Cops

Three Chicago-area adults have been using their children to rob stores and steal IDs, say police.

The family members -- including two children -- were arrested Tuesday after attempting to rob a Macy's department store in Parma, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.

The adults, Amina Frye-Sanders, 34, Donald Burton, 37, and Diana Burton, 64, have been charged with felony robbery and multiple charges of identity theft and credit card fraud.

Authorities say the shoplifting and fraud ring could be connected to other crimes there and in Chicago.

In surveillance video captured Tuesday, Frye-Sanders was recorded making a purchase with a gift card that may have been fraudulent, according to a new release from Parma police.

Frye-Sanders' two children, an 8-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, are seen shoplifting, with the 8-year-old putting eight Rocawear brand baseball hats, valued in total of $225, into a bag and walking out of the store.

When confronted by store security, "a physical altercation ensued while attempting to detain them inside the store," authorities said.

At about that time, Donald Burton and Diana Burton entered the store and entered the fray. The video appears to capture Donald Burton punching one of the guards in the face.

The family exited the store and got into a silver 2009 Chevy Suburban but were stopped by police officers and arrested. Their vehicle had Illinois license plates.

A search of the van turned up stolen computers, credit cards, gift cards, receipts and other property. Police have identified at least four victims from the Chicagoland area and others in the Cleveland area.

"We know there were points in between," Parma Det. Marty Compton said. "We found hundreds of receipts, and when it’s all said and done, there are dozens of victims out there."

Compton said both the Burtons and Frye-Sanders have family in the area, although the adults involved have known Chicago addresses.

The two children were taken into custody and then released to child services, and have since been released to a cousin of Frye-Sanders in the Cleveland area. Compton said the children are from a previous relationship and Burton is not the father.

"The way they use these kids is just pathetic," Compton said. "It’s no Parenting 101."

The adults are scheduled for a court hearing on Friday.