Police: Shoplifter fled, left daughter

By RICHARD DANIELSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 3, 2000

TARPON SPRINGS -- Confronted by Publix employees at about noon Sunday, shoplifting suspect Jennifer C. Robinson jumped into her car and raced away, leaving her 12-year-old daughter behind, Tarpon Springs police said Monday.

About five minutes later, Robinson returned to pick up her daughter. But police said she sped off again before her daughter was completely in the car. Police said the girl, whose name was not released, was not injured.

Officers charged Robinson, 32, of 817 Margo St. in Tarpon Springs with felony theft, child abuse and driving without a valid license. She was being held at the Pinellas County Jail on Monday in lieu of $40,250 bail. Police said Robinson works as a hardware store clerk. Tarpon Springs police Sgt. Tom Hill said the incident began when a Publix customer saw Robinson putting items in her purse. The customer alerted Publix managers, who confronted Robinson as she left the store, which is at 40968 U.S. 19 N.

Witnesses told police that Robinson, after leaving the first time, returned to the parking lot, told her daughter to get in and pulled her into the car. As she drove off the second time, the car door was still open and her daughter was "half-in and half-out of the car," Hill said.

The girl was released to her grandmother after Robinson's arrest, Hill said.

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