Woman caught stealing luxury strollers from Disney

[kamik86]

I'm from the kind of small town where people leave their cars running in front of the gas station while they run in to buy a coffee. The kind where I accidently left my garage door open one night, that you can use to walk right into my house without any other locks and all my stuff was still safely where I left it.

My parents house is only locked if they are going to be gone for more than a full day. My neighbors typically open the back of their car with all their purchases in it, grab a few bags and leave the car sitting there open 10 ft from the road until they get back.

I might not think anything of leaving a diaperbag, snacks, or a childs toy in a stroller, but even I wouldn't have left a purse.

 

[Klayfish]

I am with the group of I can't believe she would spend $1800 on a stroller. A stroller is only going to last a few years. It's going to get pooped on, have drinks spill on it, people are going to bump into it, it's going to get scuffed bumping against things...

Yep, this was our thought too. We beat the daylights out of our strollers, so why do that to something ridiculously overpriced. That same principal applied when we bought our family hauler. We could have bought a fancy minivan (I despise SUVs) and paid $40k+ for it, even back in 2007, but knowing how it was going to get abused we saw no point. We bought a bare bones basic minivan for well less than half of that price. Served us well for 8 years, and got whipped like we knew it would. I certainly understand it's everyone's personal decision, but we just couldn't justify it.

In this instance, the cost of the stroller is extremely relevant. It was stolen precisely because it was so expensive and the thief knew it. If it had been a $25 Wal-Mart special, it wouldn't have been stolen. That doesn't mean she deserved to have it stolen, that's not my point. However, it's value was 100% related to its' theft.

 

[Dismama2boys]

Can we stop with how much the stroller cost??? People make different spending choices all the time. I would never buy an 80K car, or a $900 purse, but people do. All the time. Who cares?!?!?! Leave her alone about spending her money for things that are a priority to her, even if you don't get it.

ETA: There are many people out there in the real world who would argue that spending thousands of dollars over and over to go on vacation to a made up, manufactured place "designed for children" is a ridiculous thing to spend money on, and I bet many of you would argue that vehemently. So let it go.

Leaving valuables in a stroller - any stroller - isn't wise. Can we stick to that topic, the one that's actually important?

 

[Hikergirl]

Can we stop with how much the stroller cost??? People make different spending choices all the time. I would never buy an 80K car, or a $900 purse, but people do. All the time. Who's cares?!?!?! Leave her alone about spending her money for things that are a priority to her, even if you don't get it.

ETA: There are many people out there in the real world who would argue that spending thousands of dollars over and over to go on vacation to a made up, manufactured place "designed for children" is a ridiculous thing to spend money on, and I bet many of you would argue that vehemently. So let it go.

Leaving valuables in a stroller - any stroller - isn't wise. Can we stick to that topic, the one that's actually important?

Um, we can discuss whatever we want here. You are free to "stick to the topic" and we are free to discuss the cost of the stroller.
The cost of the stroller is mentioned in every article I've read about this, so yeah its part of the topic. And personally I'm not shocked that someone would steal a stroller with a bag in it. I'm more shocked that people spend that much money on a stroller to begin with. ANd I'm even more shocked that there are people out there who actually leave their valuables out there in a public place. So, that is what I am discussing here.

 

[Dismama2boys]

Um, we can discuss whatever we want here. You are free to "stick to the topic" and we are free to discuss the cost of the stroller.
The cost of the stroller is mentioned in every article I've read about this, so yeah its part of the topic. And personally I'm not shocked that someone would steal a stroller with a bag in it. I'm more shocked that people spend that much money on a stroller to begin with. ANd I'm even more shocked that there are people out there who actually leave their valuables out there in a public place. So, that is what I am discussing here.

Sure, discuss whatever you like. The point of the article was the theft, not that people are stupid to buy expensive things. But if you (the collective, not you personally) prefer to discuss something that's irrelevant and not at all the point of the article linked, more power to you. It was silly of me to expect critical reasoning skills on the Dis.

 

[Klayfish]

Sure, discuss whatever you like. The point of the article was the theft, not that people are stupid to buy expensive things. But if you (the collective, not you personally) prefer to discuss something that's irrelevant and not at all the point of the article linked, more power to you. It was silly of me to expect critical reasoning skills on the Dis.

Why is it irrelevant? Do you think the stroller was stolen because it was a cheap, run of the mill stroller...or perhaps because it was a super high end one? If a thief walks up to a row of cars left at a grocery store with the keys in them, do you think they're going to steal the 1987 Ford Escort or the 2017 Lexus LS? So the cost of the stroller is extremely relevant. It's not stupid to buy expensive things, but it is poor judgment to leave them unattended in places where they may get stolen.

 

[Hikergirl]

Sure, discuss whatever you like. The point of the article was the theft, not that people are stupid to buy expensive things. But if you (the collective, not you personally) prefer to discuss something that's irrelevant and not at all the point of the article linked, more power to you. It was silly of me to expect critical reasoning skills on the Dis.

Well despite your veiled attempt at a personal attack, what was silly of you was to expect to control a conversation on a public message board. Its fine that you don't think that the cost of the stroller is relevant, and it is fine that it is my opinion that you would be wrong.

 

[Hikergirl]

Why is it irrelevant? Do you think the stroller was stolen because it was a cheap, run of the mill stroller...or perhaps because it was a super high end one? If a thief walks up to a row of cars left at a grocery store with the keys in them, do you think they're going to steal the 1987 Ford Escort or the 2017 Lexus LS? So the cost of the stroller is extremely relevant. It's not stupid to buy expensive things, but it is poor judgment to leave them unattended in places where they may get stolen.

Oh stop it, you are using critical reasoning skills here.

 

[Sundowner2]

Its easy to get lulled into a false sense of security at Disney when there are so many CM there and a sea of strollers, and it's easy to forget that it's not their job to babysit people's belongings. While its terrible people are dishonest, some people are and if you leave your stuff unattended thats a risk you run. I imagine we've all done it at somepoint, and most people are honest, but you can't know for sure. Better safe than sorry.

I do agree though, the woman was obviously looking for a expensive stroller, and because it was so expensive it became a target.

 

[TwoMisfits]

You can buy an item once or you can buy disposable and buy for every kid. Who knows if she bought the stroller to use for every kid she has over a planned decade or more? Who knows if she didn't buy the stroller but got it at a baby shower as a gift? Who knows if she needed certain aspects of that stroller (I always had a b&tch of a time breaking down my stroller, so I know all about wanting certain key things in it)? As many said, the price of the stroller was irrelevant. Her mistake was assuming Disney has a magic force field where nothing bad happens. But, she made an honest and accidental mistake. She probably kicks herself every day for it and hopes her experience will helps others who also believe Disney's marketing force field ("happiest place on Earth" "most magical place" etc) avoid it. It already has helped people b/c NO WAY would Florida county police have cared to follow up on this without the immense publicity. This, I know for certain. So, her public speaking did us all a service.

And let's remember - the person who stole the stroller committed an incredibly knowingly evil and selfish act, not an accidental or unthinking one. Conflating the two is really unhelpful. I hope Florida destroys the stroller stealer as an example b/c it is apparent she has been doing it forever with no remorse and using her kid in the acts.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Can we stick to that topic, the one that's actually important?

I guess a story about a theft isn't all that surprising. Especially in a place where tens of thousands of people visit everyday.

Going to the media to be interviewed about it and needing to be 'rescued' because one's wallet was taken is a bit more interesting to me.

It was silly of me to expect critical reasoning skills on the Dis.

I guess I'm stoopid.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

It already has helped people b/c NO WAY would Florida county police have cared to follow up on this without the immense publicity. This, I know for certain. So, her public speaking did us all a service.

Is there some news story or other evidence that the police organizations in the greater WDW area are going to devote more resources to stroller theft at Disney?

 

[mjkacmom]

Some of these comments against the mother whose items were stolen, "sense enough", "stupid" "plain stupid", "I don't have a lot of sympathy"... I hope I'm never on trial, with some of you as jurors I would be up the creek without a paddle.

I was once at a very nice playground in my home town, with 5 kids under the age of 9. I had my hands full! It was fenced in, and it was a weekday morning. The only other people there was a woman in her 60's, and a little girl. I was dumb and left my wristlet in my diaper bag on a bench, and I tried to keep my eye on it. When we went to leave, it was gone. No wristlet, not car key, a few miles from home. Fortunately I had my double stroller (and I never lock my door during the day).

They ended up catching her (she was in custody when I filed a police report, she stole from someone else and got caught). So, although I feel sorry for the woman who's stroller was stolen, it was dumb to leave her wallet in it.

 

[Klayfish]

Its easy to get lulled into a false sense of security at Disney when there are so many CM there and a sea of strollers, and it's easy to forget that it's not their job to babysit people's belongings. While its terrible people are dishonest, some people are and if you leave your stuff unattended thats a risk you run. I imagine we've all done it at somepoint, and most people are honest, but you can't know for sure. Better safe than sorry.

I do agree though, the woman was obviously looking for a expensive stroller, and because it was so expensive it became a target.

I'll be honest, we leave our stuff unattended at WDW all the time, partly because of the false sense of security you mentioned. However, reality is that the stuff we leave unattended is of very little value. While we'd be annoyed if it got stolen, it wouldn't ruin our trip. For example, we bring all of our own food into WDW, we don't eat at the restaurants. So with a family of 5, a full dinner is quite a large bag. Our soft sided cooler is a monster. We stick it in an umbrella stroller so that we don't have to carry it. We often leave it in stroller parking for hours while we hit the rides, then come back for lunch or dinner. Sometimes we'll leave our gear bag too, if we don't need it. It usually contains some of the $1 WalMart rain ponchos, sunscreen, and maybe our kids autograph books (they like them, but they aren't worldly possessions). If someone really wants our $15 umbrella stroller that's now 5 years old...have at it. Want our dinner? Hope you like what we packed. It's a risk we take, and in 10 years of doing it this way, have yet to get burned...even once. But if it ever happens we won't complain much. $50 later and we're back in business.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Is there some news story or other evidence that the police organizations in the greater WDW area are going to devote more resources to stroller theft at Disney?

No, they devoted it to this one b/c of the publicity and made the arrest...so one serial stroller stealer is gone. If they throw the book at her, the deterrent effect will be large b/c thieves look for the easiest marks and the least potential punishments, so they'll look elsewhere (like malls) for easy thefts if they see an actual prison term for this.

 

[KrazeeK120]

The thing that blows my mind about the story is...WHY would you leave an epi pen in a stroller?? What good would it do sitting in a stroller if the kid has an issue in line or on a ride?? That epi pen should be carried AT ALL TIMES for the child's safety. I do sort of have to question the intelligence of someone who leaves a lifesaving medical device where the person who may need it cannot access it quickly.

Obviously, no one deserves to have their stuff stolen. But this is a good reality check. We took our diaper bag with us everywhere. The only thing we left in the stroller was our lunchbox that had water bottles in it. Wouldn't have been the end of the world if someone decided they wanted our water.

 

[Dismama2boys]

I guess a story about a theft isn't all that surprising. Especially in a place where tens of thousands of people visit everyday.

Going to the media to be interviewed about it and needing to be 'rescued' because one's wallet was taken is a bit more interesting to me.I guess I'm stoopid.

If one chooses to spend their time and energy judging people for what they choose to spend their money on, that's fine. I live my life differently, and reserve my judgement for people who, you know, steal things.

 

[wilkeliza]

The thing that blows my mind about the story is...WHY would you leave an epi pen in a stroller?? What good would it do sitting in a stroller if the kid has an issue in line or on a ride?? That epi pen should be carried AT ALL TIMES for the child's safety. I do sort of have to question the intelligence of someone who leaves a lifesaving medical device where the person who may need it cannot access it quickly.

Obviously, no one deserves to have their stuff stolen. But this is a good reality check. We took our diaper bag with us everywhere. The only thing we left in the stroller was our lunchbox that had water bottles in it. Wouldn't have been the end of the world if someone decided they wanted our water.

I'll admit it depends on the allergy. My friend has an epi-pen for eggs. I'm sure he figures he won't come across eggs and ingest enough of them in a queue line so he does sometimes leave it with a non-rider if he is just getting into line. I could see when he has kids possibly even leaving it in the diaper bag under a stroller and think nothing of it.

 

[Hikergirl]

If one chooses to spend their time and energy judging people for what they choose to spend their money on, that's fine. I live my life differently, and reserve my judgement for people who, you know, steal things.

Time and energy? It took all of 5 seconds to judge that woman. It took all of 5 seconds to judge the thief too. You do realize one can have an opinion on both the thief and the victim's lack of common sense right?

 

[Dismama2boys]

Why is it irrelevant? Do you think the stroller was stolen because it was a cheap, run of the mill stroller...or perhaps because it was a super high end one? If a thief walks up to a row of cars left at a grocery store with the keys in them, do you think they're going to steal the 1987 Ford Escort or the 2017 Lexus LS? So the cost of the stroller is extremely relevant. It's not stupid to buy expensive things, but it is poor judgment to leave them unattended in places where they may get stolen.

Because things get stolen all the time - expensive things, cheap things, anything. You just don't hear nearly as much about the cheap(er) stuff. I have a friend who has had 3 umbrella strollers stolen, but no one has ever touched her $700 stroller. It's not totally irrelevant that the stroller COST that much, but the fact that people are focusing on that she chose to purchase a stroller that cost that much is silly and off-topic. People make different spending choices all the time, and I just can't see spending energy judging them for that.

ETA: regarding the car analogy, perhaps they steal the more expensive car because it's worth more. Perhaps they steal the cheaper car because it blends in better and is less likely to get noticed quickly. Perhaps they steal 3 or 4 cars of varying price ranges. I don't know that there's an across-the-board obvious choice. Sometimes what meets the thief's needs is not the flashiest, most expensive item.