Police: Man teaches child to steal phone

DORAL, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are searching for a man accused of instructing a child to steal an iPhone at a South Florida mall.

The theft occurred at the Miami International Mall on Northwest 107th Avenue and 14th Street. Surveillance cameras captured the boy, who, police believe is under the age of 4. He can be seen on the video footage walking towards the register of a kiosk and snatching an iPhone belonging to a clerk.

Doral Police said They do not know the relationship between the man and the child, but he coached the child into stealing it. He then takes the phone from the child and they walk away together.

"It's disturbing," said Doral Police Lt. Carlos Alfaro, "and it goes to the level of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. It's incomprehensible that a parent would use a child to commit those kind of crimes."

Police said these crimes are common in the area. Crooks steal these phones, police said, and they turn around and resell them.

If you have any information on this theft, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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