Police: Woman evades security, abandons child after retail theft

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- A woman is being sought in connection with stealing from a retail store and abandoning her daughter in an attempt to evade police.

The incident happened around 6:10 p.m. Thursday at Macy's in Center City.

Police say the 27-year-old woman was apprehended by store security for retail theft. She is accused of stealing $1,400 worth of merchandise.

The woman, who was accompanied by her 3-year-old daughter, was handcuffed and detained, police say.

However, police say, she was able to free herself from the handcuffs and escaped the room, leaving her daughter behind.

Security notified police and the child was taken to DHS.

Police say they know the suspect's identity, and have a warrant for her arrest. She faces charges of retail theft and recklessly endangering the welfare of a child.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.