(October 18, 2024) — On October 12, 2024, officers working for the Cape Coral Police Department responded to Target, located at 1890 NE Pine Island Road, for a theft that occurred the day prior.
Target’s loss prevention staff advised that an unknown adult female came into Target with a child under the age of 10. Loss prevention provided video footage documenting the female loading a cart up with merchandise, giving the cart to the child, and using the child to walk out of the store with a cart full of merchandise. The value of the stolen items was estimated at $1,111. Two big ticket items were a barista machine and a vacuum cleaner.
Detectives launched an investigation and sent the woman’s picture to other officers and detectives. On October 17, an officer responded to a complaint of a woman panhandling. The officer recognized the woman from the posted picture related to the Target theft investigation. She was identified as Elizabeth Novac (DOB 11/08/2000).
The investigation revealed that Novac loaded the cart with merchandise. Prior to briefly separating from the child, Novac was seen pointing toward the exit doors and intentionally having the child leave the store with the shopping cart without attempting to pay. She followed the child a few minutes later.
Elizabeth Novac was arrested and charged with the following:
–1 count in violation of Florida State Statute 812.014(2)(C)(1), Grand theft
–1 count in violation of Florida State Statute 827.04(1)(A), Contributing to delinquency of a minor
Arrested: Elizabeth Novac (DOB 11/08/2000)
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