Mom told daughter stealing Disney pins that she needed to ‘hurry up’ and leave the store before they were busted: Cops

A Florida woman is facing criminal charges after authorities say she knowingly helped her juvenile daughter steal thousands of dollars worth of Disney merchandise, including collectible Disney pins, from a popular store at Disney Springs.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, 52-year-old Ivette Perez was arrested and charged with grand theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor after investigators determined she allegedly worked alongside her daughter during the theft.

The incident took place on April 12, 2026, at Disney’s Pin Traders store in Disney Springs, a shopping, dining, and entertainment district located at Walt Disney World Resort in the Orlando area.

Theft Allegedly Unfolded Inside Disney’s Pin Traders Store

According to arrest documents, Disney employees observed a juvenile girl taking collectible Disney pins from displays inside the store.

One employee estimated that the girl stole approximately 15 pins, while another employee believed the number was closer to 40. The pins are highly sought-after collectibles featuring Disney characters, attractions, events, and special releases. Many guests collect and trade them throughout Disney parks and resorts.

Employees told investigators that the girl placed the pins into her bag and then left the store without paying.

Employees Became Suspicious of the Mother’s Actions

While the girl was allegedly taking merchandise, store employees noticed suspicious behavior from an adult woman later identified as Perez.

According to investigators, Perez asked employees for a clear plastic bag while the theft was occurring. Witnesses believed the request may have been an attempt to distract staff members from noticing the juvenile gathering merchandise.

Authorities later cited this behavior as evidence that Perez was actively assisting in the theft rather than attempting to stop it.

Mother and Daughter Located After Leaving the Store

After the pair exited Disney’s Pin Traders, deputies were alerted and began searching the Disney Springs area.

Authorities eventually located the mother and daughter near the World of Disney store, another major retail location within Disney Springs.

Deputies detained both individuals and recovered a large quantity of merchandise believed to have been stolen.

More Than $2,000 Worth of Merchandise Recovered

Investigators determined that the combined value of the allegedly stolen merchandise totaled approximately $2,030.

According to the arrest affidavit, Perez was personally found with several stolen items valued at roughly $40.

Her daughter was allegedly carrying merchandise worth nearly $2,000.

Officials did not publicly release a complete inventory of all recovered items, but reports indicate the merchandise included numerous Disney pins and other products taken from stores within Disney Springs.

Perez Allegedly Admitted She Knew Her Daughter Was Stealing

After being taken into custody, Perez was advised of her Miranda rights and agreed to speak with investigators.

According to the sheriff’s report, Perez admitted she knew her daughter was stealing merchandise.

She allegedly told deputies that she understood her daughter did not have enough money to pay for the large number of items she was collecting.

Rather than intervening, investigators say Perez allowed the theft to continue and permitted her daughter to keep the stolen merchandise.

Authorities concluded that her actions amounted to aiding and abetting the theft.

Text Messages Became Key Evidence

One of the most significant pieces of evidence cited by investigators came from text messages exchanged between Perez and her daughter.

According to deputies, Perez voluntarily showed officers messages sent during the alleged theft.

The messages reportedly revealed that Perez urged her daughter to “hurry up” before they were discovered.

Investigators also stated that Perez instructed her daughter to return to the vehicle so they could leave the area before store employees realized what had happened.

Authorities believe the messages demonstrated that Perez was fully aware of the theft and actively encouraging her daughter’s actions.

Charge of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

In addition to the felony grand theft charge, prosecutors charged Perez with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Investigators argued that rather than discouraging criminal behavior, Perez encouraged and facilitated it.

According to the arrest report, Perez “contributed, aided, and abetted” the theft by allowing the juvenile to retain the stolen items and by coordinating with her throughout the incident.

Law enforcement officials said her conduct played a direct role in the alleged crime.

Previous Legal Troubles Mentioned in Report

Court records indicate that Perez was already on probation in Miami-Dade County for an unrelated fraud-related case at the time of her arrest.

Authorities referenced her probation status in the arrest documentation, though details regarding that separate case were not included in the Disney Springs investigation.

Arrest and Court Proceedings

Following her arrest, Perez was booked into the Orange County Jail.

She later posted bond and was released from custody.

Court records show that Perez has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

As of the latest reports, no immediate trial date had been publicly announced.

Disney Pins Remain Highly Collectible Merchandise

The case has drawn attention because Disney pins are among the most popular collectible items sold at Disney parks and resorts.

Pin trading has become a major hobby among Disney fans, with some limited-edition pins selling for significant amounts on the secondary market.

Because of their collectibility and resale value, Disney pins have occasionally been targeted in theft cases involving both guests and professional shoplifters.

In this case, investigators allege that the theft operation involved a parent and child working together, making the incident particularly unusual and leading to the additional charge involving a minor.

Ongoing Legal Process

Perez remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Prosecutors will now seek to prove that she knowingly participated in the theft scheme and encouraged her daughter’s involvement.

The case continues to move through the Florida court system as authorities pursue the charges stemming from the alleged theft of more than $2,000 worth of Disney merchandise at Disney Springs.