4-Year-Old Boy Breaks Into Store, Plays With Toys

Texas Surveillance Video Police say the little boy had to cross a seven lane road to get there. SURVEILLANCE VIDEO

by Jamie Burch

Published: Mon, December 15, 2008 - 5:39 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, December 15, 2008 - 5:45 pm CST

Police responding to an alarm at a Family Dollar store in the middle of the night never expected the "burglar" would be toddler.

When Beaumont, Texas police arrived at the store, they found a four-year-old boy playing with toys. They believe they little guy unlocked the door of his home about 3:00 a.m. Monday and crossed a seven lane highway to get there.

Surveillance video shows the four-year-old trying to open the front doors. The second one was unlocked, so he went inside. That triggered the silent alarm.

"You can tell the child has been well cared for," said Officer Randy Stevens. "He was very talkative and was playing with the officers."

Police canvassed the neighborhood and found a family member who was out looking for the little boy. Child Protective Services took custody of the child, but he will be allowed to stay with relatives until their investigation is complete.

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laha45 Says:

Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 2:08 pm

What the heck was the kid doing up at 3:00 in the am? Sneaking out of the house is LEARNED behavior.

KxVicious Says:

Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 2:02 pm

Hahahaha. I like how in the video he goes and greets the cops at the door, then reaches for the officer’s hand to lead him inside (I’m guessing to show him the toys he found?)

So even though he TECHNICALLY committed a crime he doesn’t go to jail because of his age??(If I did the same thing, I’d still be waiting in a cell for my sentencing) Hmm.

bamabill Says:

Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 10:42 am

that has never happened to me but after hugging him and crying with his mother, i would have blister his bottom with dr. spock book.

glamblitz Says:

Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 5:25 am

he looks like he is the most mischievous boy in the world. can you imagine how rotten his is on a daily basis. he is so cute though. i agree, God was watching out for this child.

DEW26M Says:

Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 7:16 pm

I think this may have been a test of the silent alarm’s function! Come on now, the door on a Family Dollar store just happens to be open? Sounds fishy to me. You only have 3 things to do when closing:

1: Count Money.
2: Kill lights.
3: Lock Doors

While it’s nice the child was found unharmed, I’d hate to be the manager of this store.

engtchr Says:

Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 7:11 pm

If the doors had been locked, the boy may never have been found. I think God was watching out for that baby!

myopinion Says:

Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 6:51 pm

Just kind of coincidental that the doors were unlocked and then here comes a toddler. Well, at least he is safe. I hope they remember to lock the doors from now on.