Facing felony aiding and abetting theft, Phyllis Elaine Osby appeared in Washington County District Court July 9.
The 21-year-old Minneapolis woman allegedly assisted in stealing from Gap, Buy Buy Baby and Gordman's on April 1. She had been convicted of gross misdemeanor theft March 3, within five years of the recent allegation, so the charges escalated.
According to the complaint:
At Woodbury Lakes business district, police responded for a theft at Gap.
Osby and a woman with a 10-year-old child admitted to theft, and inside their vehicle, officers observed a large pile of children's clothing with electronic sensors still attached.
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At Gap, the minor was trying to distract employees while the women placed merchandise in their bags and purses. When the three of them walked out together and security alarms went off, the child acted surprised, apologized and gave back a hat with a sensor on it.
Similar scenarios played out at Buy Buy Baby and Gordman's, according to employees, resulting in a total loss of more than $600 in merchandise.
