Caught on camera: Women with babies in strollers stealing

Cassandi’s is a baby boutique in Juban Crossing in Denham Springs. Unfortunately though, the boutique has been targeted several times when it comes to people stealing.

Women caught on camera stealing from Cassandi’s on Aug. 14th & Aug. 4th, 2022

“It doesn’t matter who you are, anyone who gets caught stealing in my shop, I’m not taking it anymore. I’ve had enough. I’m losing so much money because of it. People keep stealing and I play nice and drop the charges. Well, I’m not doing that anymore,” said the owner Whitney Rogers.

Most recently, it was around 12:45pm on Sunday, Aug. 14th when Rogers says she noticed an empty hanger on a rack. That’s when she went and checked her cameras and realized nearly $500 worth of merchandise was allegedly stolen.

“They had babies in their strollers so it looked like they were tending to their babies, when in reality, they were sticking merchandise in their strollers,” said Rogers.

Rogers said the cameras showed they were in the store about 30 minutes walking from rack to rack. Rogers provided a list of things allegedly stolen: five smocked outfits, two pairs of baby shoes, rompers, sunglasses, bowtie & socks for a total of $471.97 without tax.

“We go up to all our customers and ask if they need any help or looking for anything in particular. I spoke to them and then I even went out of my way to go outside after I realized they walked out to say, ‘Thank you for coming in.’ It’s just infuriating,” said Rogers.

Rogers took to social media blasting the women’s pictures and videos and that’s when she said another boutique owner reached out telling her the same ladies were in her store on Aug. 4th, but they did not steal from her. That made Rogers go back and check her cameras for Aug. 4th.

“Here they are again stealing from me and it’s again, caught on camera,” said Rogers.

On Aug. 4th, Rogers said they allegedly stole another nearly $500 worth of merchandise with the same tactic, using the strollers and acting like they were checking on the babies.

In total, Rogers said the two women have allegedly stolen nearly $1,000 worth of merchandise over the two dates. She has now filed a report with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Since then, Rogers said one of the women’s mother reached out to her saying she would repay the nearly $1,000 in exchange for Rogers to drop the charges.

“She said she didn’t want to see her daughter in jail, but then added by giving me the money, they were not admitting any guilt. They were simply repaying me for my inconvenience. I’m not dropping the charges. Yes, I’m losing money but I’m tired of this,” said Rogers.