The Glendale Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying a shoplifter who stole candy and alcohol from a Rite Aid store with help from a child.
Surveillance cameras captured a man as he hid an alcohol bottle in his pants then proceeded to steal candy and store it in the child's backpack. The relationship between the man and child is not currently known.
Store patrons were shocked to learn a shoplifter took a child on a shoplifting spree and found it disturbing that he had the child help him.
"The child is being raised in the culture and views of what they see in their parents so I don't think, in my opinion, that's a wise thing for a child to see," Rite Aid shopper A.L. Simmons said.
"I'm just surprised because this is a relatively nice neighborhood, so I'm surprised that something like that would happen over here," shopper Dennis Castillo said.
The shoplifting took place around 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. The man was described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, is believed to be at least 30 years old and has tattoos on his left arm and hand. The child, who is believed to be 10-years-old, had long hair and was wearing a Dodgers shirt at the time of the shoplifting. Police hope to catch the man before he can further corrupt the child.
Anyone with information regarding the shoplifting, or anyone who recognizes the thief, is asked to call the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-4840.
