Kids Help Parents In Oak Brook Theft: Cops

OAK BROOK, IL – A couple brought their children this week along for a shoplifting excursion in Oak Brook, authorities said.

Angelo Almaraz, 26, and Thalia Morales, 32, both of Chicago, were arrested on felony charges of burglary and retail theft, police said.

They were with four children, ranging from an infant to 13, DuPage County prosecutors said in a news release. Three of them were their children.

About 6 p.m. Monday at Macy's, the two oldest children selected items and handed them to the adults, who then placed the items in Nordstrom Rack bags.

When they neared an exit, a loss prevention employee approached them, prompting them to run to their car with the merchandise and drive away, police said.

Oak Brook officers pulled over the couple as they tried to turn onto Route 83. Police found they stole $962 in merchandise, prosecutors said.

DuPage County Judge Joshua Dieden denied prosecutors' request to keep the couple in jail until trial.

"In this case, it is heartbreaking to have adults force young children into criminal activity," Oak Brook Deputy Police Chief Reid Foltyniewicz said in the news release.

Authorities said they may file more charges against the couple.