‘Children were being used’ in Market Mall jewelry theft: Calgary police

The exterior of Calgary's Market Mall, located at 3625 Shaganappi Trail N.W. (Facebook/CF Market Mall)

Calgary police say several members of the same family are facing charges after allegedly working together to steal from a jewelry store at Market Mall.

Officers were called to the Hillberg & Berk location at the northwest shopping centre on June 17.

After speaking with an employee and viewing security footage, officers determined the theft happened after six family members entered the store together.

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“While several of the adult members spoke with staff, a 16-year-old girl and eight-year-old boy from the family took several pieces of jewelry, valued at a total of just under $4,000, then left the store,” police said in a Wednesday news release.

The employee didn’t realize anything had been stolen until after the family had left.

Police were able find the eight-year-old and 16-year-old, along with one of the adult family members, elsewhere in the mall.

Stolen vehicle, more stolen items: police

The remaining family members were found in a truck in the parking lot.

“It was determined that the truck was stolen and a subsequent search recovered more stolen items from other stores,” police said.

The family members — a 16-year-old girl, 17-year-old boy, 25-year-old woman and 34-year-old woman — are all facing charges.

Two children, aged eight and nine, were released to the custody of their father, who was not charged in this incident.

Insp. Colleen Bowers says while distraction thefts are becoming more common in Calgary, this case is “particularly disturbing” because “children were being used to commit those thefts.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police at 403-266-1234.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.