Woman accused of using children to shoplift from Dillard's store

Cassandra Spencer, 32, arrested Monday night at Town Center

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police on Monday night arrested a Northwest Jacksonville woman accused of using children to help her shoplift from the Dillard's department store at the St. Johns Town Center. 

Cassandra Spencer, 32, is charged with grand theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. 

Spencer used a child to steal more than $900 worth of purses from Dillard's, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.

According to an arrest report, a security officer noticed Spencer walking into the store about 8 p.m. with two children. 

Police said Spencer was caught on surveillance footage going straight to the purse section, handing three Brahmin purses to one of the children and then motioning to the child to follow her before all three tried to walk out without paying.

The boy involved told police that he knew it was wrong to do, but he didn't want to upset Spencer. 

Spencer was booked into the Duval County Jail and ordered held on $30,000 bond. 

It's unknown how the children and Spencer are related. It's also unclear what happened to the children after her arrest. 

According to court records, Spencer has multiple prior arrests, and Monday night was her fourth arrest this year in Duval County. 

She had been in jail just three weeks ago in connection with a shoplifting case from last year, and was released on her own recognizance a week later.


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Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.

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