ST. PETERS, Mo. – The Kohl’s store in St. Peter’s is one of several stores victimized by theft from a 29-year-old woman.

Police and prosecutors say the woman is caught on camera using her three children to help.

Court records show Lacia Green entered Kohl’s with her two sons and daughter. She is reportedly seen on camera filling a shopping cart full of clothing, then directing her daughter to push it out of the store.

“As law enforcement officers, I think one of our biggest obligations is to protect children and in this situation, these children were trusting their adult in their life,” St. Peter’s Police Sgt. Melissa Doss said.

Joe McCulloch, St. Charles County prosecutor, is placing charges for not only stealing, but also endangering the welfare of a child.

“It’s almost like a modern-day Oliver Twist,” McCulloch said. “Where she is using her children to steal, not because they need it for survival, but as a way of life.”

Cases of stealing involving Lacia Green span across at least four counties, FOX 2 found. She is also charged with theft from an Ulta in Chesterfield, stealing over $5,000 worth of perfume. Some of the product was allegedly stolen with the help of her 11-year-old son.

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Green also stole from Kohl’s in Arnold, where she is now facing a charge of endangering a child’s welfare. Across the river, another stealing charge is against Green at a Kohl’s in Edwardsville, IL.

McCulloch added, “It always comes back on those of us who pay for our items, because it increases our cost in order to cover the losses.”

Stores are acting behind the scenes, with loss prevention specialists watching. They’re also communicating with police, sometimes even after the suspect has left the scene, which was the case at the St. Peters Kohl’s.

“They’re watching on these cameras. They’re making these reports. They share communication with not only the stores in other communities but other department stores that aren’t affiliated with theirs and they share photos, names, information, and that helps law enforcement,” Sgt. Doss said.

Court records also show Green is now banned from being near retail stores. A St. Louis County judge set bond for $50,000 in the Chesterfield Ulta case. Green was authorized to pay 10%, but with the added demand, “Defendant cannot be within 500 feet of retail establishments.”

FOX 2 took a visit to Green’s home in Florissant to see what she thought about it all, but no one answered the door.

Green is required to answer several judges in the coming months.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.