ORLANDO, Florida — A mother-daughter trip to Disney Springs ended in handcuffs after a Florida woman allegedly coached her juvenile daughter to steal collectible Disney pins — and then texted her to “hurry up” and get out before anyone noticed.
Ivette Perez, 52, is now facing charges of grand theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
What Happened Inside the Store
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Disney’s Pin Traders at Disney Springs around 10 p.m. on April 12.
Store employees told deputies they watched a juvenile girl swipe pins from the shelves without paying. One employee counted about 15 stolen pins. Another estimated the number was closer to 40.
The girl then walked out of the store without paying for any of them.
Employees said the girl was not acting alone. A woman — later identified as Perez, her mother — was allegedly working alongside her.
Perez reportedly approached a store employee and “suspiciously asked” for a bag, which investigators believe was a deliberate attempt to distract staff while her daughter took the pins.
The Text Messages That Gave It Away
After the girl left the store, deputies tracked down both Perez and her daughter and took them into custody.
Once Perez was read her Miranda rights, she admitted she knew her daughter was stealing — because the family did not have money to pay for the pins.
Then came the texts.
Perez showed deputies messages on her phone where she had urged her daughter to “hurry up” and leave the store before getting caught. She had also texted her daughter to return to the car so they could drive away.
How Much Was Taken
When deputies searched them, the numbers told the full story.
Perez was found with three items totaling around $40.
Her daughter, however, was carrying approximately $2,000 worth of stolen pins.
Disney’s collectible pins feature characters, park attractions, and special events. Guests can trade them with other visitors or with Disney cast members throughout the parks — making them highly sought after by collectors.
A Prior Record Added to the Charges
Deputies also discovered that Perez is currently on probation for a fraud case in Miami-Dade County — making the arrest significantly more serious for her legally.
Perez was booked into the Orange County Jail and has since posted bond. She has pleaded not guilty. Her next court date had not been listed at the time of this report.
Her daughter, as a juvenile, was not publicly identified.
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