Woman Accused Of Using Kids For Shoplifting In North Austin

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — A woman stands accused of using her young children to shoplift at the Macy's store in The Domain shopping center, according to reports.

The incident dates to Nov. 12, but the details have only recently emerged via an arrest affidavit. Back in November, a store employee called police to report two women and four children between the ages of 7 and 10 were shoplifting at the store, KXAN reported from an affidavit. The worker had been monitoring security cameras when she spotted the group taking multiple trips in and out of the store with unpaid merchandise, the news station reported.

At one point, the children were seen going up the escalators to meet the two women in the bedding area when they were directed to grab some pillows and carry them out of the store, according to the report.

Once confronted, Martha Monique Lopez, 27, started to punch an employee, according to the report. As the employee tried to detain Lopez, she inadvertently ripped off her shirt. The suspect "...ran out of the store wearing just a black bra," according to the affidavit.

Detectives were able to identify the suspect's vehicle via surveillance cameras. The stolen merchandise was valued at nearly $2,000, and Lopez now faces a robbery by assault charge.

>>> Read the full story at KXAN

Martha Monique Lopez booking photo via Austin Police Department