Candace MacNamee, 26, of the 300 block of Christopher Place in the Clifton Heights section of Upper Darby, was arrested after the December 7th theft at the Home Depot at 5342 West Baltimore Pike.
According to Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood, MacNamee was seen by store security stealing $250 worth of brass fittings, chains, bolts and other metal items.
"Normally, when you see a mom with a 3-year-old you say 'Well, that's nice. Isn't that nice?' And the whole time it's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! She's got a baby, she's walking a baby and she's stealing everything she can fit into a backpack," said Chitwood.
She was nabbed at a register paying for a $2 sink stopper, Chitwood said.
The intent, Chitwood said, was to sell the metal for scrap and get money for drugs.
MacNamee's daughter was picked up by her grandmother after the arrest.
MacNamee had a prior conviction for retail theft, according to Chitwood, and she served time in jail for drug possession.
A preliminary hearing is set for December 15th.
No one answered the door at MacNamee's home on Monday.
