Charlotte deputies say 2 Sarasota women arrested for shoplifting with child as lookout

A trip to the mall went badly for two Sarasota women accused of using a child to shoplift at Port Charlotte Town Center.

In addition to the theft charges that Gloria and Ericka Hill face, Ericka Hill is also accused of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, for allegedly using her 8-year-old child as a lookout and distraction for employees.

The thefts occurred on Feb. 19 at Dillard’s and JC Penny, according to an arrest report for 37-year-old Ericka Hill, who is also accused of pepper-spraying a Dillard’s security guard who was attempting to stop the women from fleeing after the thefts.

“You can see them behind the counters, stuffing stuff into bags that were beautifully given out to people, after they purchase items. And these bags were taken, clothes were put in, and there’s a high amount of stuff that was put in those bags,” said Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Det. Edwin Etienne.

Etienne said they used the spray to be able to get away from people who try to stop them from stealing.

Arrest reports indicate the women walked into the stores and took retail bags from the register areas and began filling them with items.

The two women and child fled into the vehicle but were stopped by Charlotte County deputies during a traffic stop.

Ericka Hill had a medical event that kept her from speaking to authorities, an arrest report shows, but Gloria Hill was interviewed.

She said the three went to the mall to enjoy being outside and were not planning on purchasing anything.

She admitted to taking Dillard’s shopping bags but then declared she couldn’t be charged because “I never walked outside the store with anything.”

Authorities found about $750 in stolen merchandise in Ericka Hill’s vehicle.

Laura Dallas shops at Dillard’s often.

“That’s just frightening and so scary. That’s just child abuse. And it’s frightening to think that people would put children up to such a thing,” Dallas said.