Woman arrested after using friend's child to shoplift

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for shoplifting at the Avenues Mall Friday while she was watching her friend's child.

Police say 20-year-old Montiesha Wilcox was shopping inside the Belk store with her friend's 2-year-old daughter when she was caught trying to steal clothing she hid inside the child's baby bag.

Investigators say she was seen walking into a dressing room with two pairs of shorts and a shirt, but later surveillance showed she exited with just one pair of shorts.

Security caught up with her as she left the store and asked to search the baby bag where they found the other articles of clothing wrapped in aluminum foil as a means to avoid setting off anti-theft sensors.

Police arrested Wilcox and turned the child over to her mother who was inside the Avenues Mall. 

Wilcox is being charged with possession of an anti-shoplifting device and petit theft. Wilcox was released from jail Saturday afternoon.