Florida man had baby in car during shoplifting attempt at Walmart, police say

Infant was on floorboard without a car seat

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – A Florida man had a baby on the floorboard of his vehicle as he attempted to shoplift from a Volusia County Walmart, according to the Port Orange Police Department.

Phillip Chipps, 36, went to the store on Oct. 19 and left the store without paying for an outside table set worth $116, police said. When he was confronted by a loss prevention officer, Chipps fled the store on foot and then drove away in a white Buick, authorities said.

Recommended Videos



The loss prevention officer spotted Chipps on Thursday scouring the parking lot for receipts so he could make fraudulent purchases and returns, according to the charging affidavit. He was wearing the same outfit he wore during the previous incident. 

A police officer approached Chipps,who told the officer that he was looking for a $20 bill he had dropped. The officer walked Chipps to his Buick, where he found a 7-month-old child on the floorboard in the back seat. There was no child seat in the vehicle, police said.

Chipps is charged with child neglect and petit theft. 


Recommended Videos