A Tempe man’s interpretation of Take Your Daughter to Work Day went a little too far when he brought his 4-year-old with him as he shoplifted.
Court records show that on June 24, Alvin Nez, 32, had his daughter with him as he placed several electronic items into a shopping cart and covered them with a jacket at a store near Baseline Road and Stapley Drive.
Police said Nez walked out of the store with $1,400 worth of items, drove away and then got into a crash.
Prior to the crash, a loss prevention officer witnessed Nez shoplifting and followed him out to the parking lot, where he saw him placing the items in his car, police said.
The officer confronted Nez and grabbed the items out of the car. Meanwhile, Nez reportedly grabbed his 4-year-old daughter, threw her in the passenger seat and sped away without buckling her seatbelt.
Police said Nez collided with another car at an intersection, but kept going to another business complex, where he fled on foot with his daughter.
Officers found Nez hiding in the building under a cubicle. Fortunately, the only injury to the girl was a bruised arm.
Nez was driving on a suspended license from a prior DUI conviction. He has been charged with shoplifting, child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
