Spending quality time with the family is one of the basic tenets of the holidays, although we’re pretty sure it’s not in the spirit of the season to take that family act on a shoplifting spree. Cops say a mom recruited her two kids in a scheme to swipe $4,500 in merchandise from Best Buy, Kohl’s and Target recently. That’s one way to make sure you get everything on your wish list, albeit a very illegal one.

The California woman allegedly worked with her 34-year-old son and 37-year-old daughter to lift the merchandise, says CBS L.A., but she’s not behind bars, due to “her medical condition.”

That same medical condition apparently helped in the plan, as it was reportedly used as a prop to distract employees. One kid would push the chair while the other simply tossed stuff into it or a large purse.

One prime target for the family? Kindle Fire Notebooks — cops say the team stole 13 of them for a total value of $2,600.

Employees got suspicious after someone saw the three “shopping” earlier in the day and then again later when they came back for more. Cops say they found stolen items from all three stores in the family’s truck.

Next year to get in the holiday spirit, maybe they could decorate a tree or bake cookies instead.

57-Year-Old Jurupa Valley Mother And Her Kids Allegedly Go On Holiday Crime Spree [CBS L.A.]

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