Lodi Women Accused Of Trying To Steal Booze With Toddler In Shopping Cart
LODI (CBS13) - A Lodi mother has been locked up for allegedly having her toddler in tow while she stole liquor.
Police say two women were on a mission to steal alcohol and one even brought her 2-year-old son along for the crime spree.
With her toddler in the cart, 36-year-old Cynthia Lopez and her accomplice Gloria Escalante reportedly attempted a trio of booze burglaries.
They're accused of stealing a dozen cases of beer and several bottles of Hypnotic, alcohol that runs $25 a bottle. In all more than $250 worth of booze was taken.
"I think that's really sad that people think they can get away with that, using a kid as a cover-up, like no one is going to suspect me," said Monique Cortez, who was shopping at one of the store's on Monday. "It's ridiculous what our world's coming to."
The crime spree started at Save Mart. Police say the women loaded up beer and tried to leave the store, but when they were confronted, they plucked the boy from the cart and took off,
Moments later investigators say they showed up at a nearby Safeway and tried again, but the cart locked as the women tried to escape.
That time they grabbed the boy and the booze.
Even after the close call, police say the accused thieves headed to a final store. But luck ran out when a distributor who saw the commotion at a previous store spotted the women, the toddler and a lot of alcohol.
"A female that observed the theft advises employees. Employees confronted them outside," Lodi Police Officer Erika Urrea said.
Police say Escalante ran away and hid in a vineyard behind the store but was later found and arrested. Lopez stayed with the child and was arrested. Both women face burglary and conspiracy charges, and the little boy's mother faces felony child endangerment charges.
"I think that's pretty crazy," Spencer Lancastle said. "I mean, today it seems like people don't care anymore. They're kids. You at least have to be better as a parent."
The alcohol was returned and the child was released to family.
