A 25-year-old woman who was pregnant with two children was stopped at a grocery store on Wheaton Way Sept. 10 after attempting to leave without paying for merchandise.

An officer responded to a shoplift incident at Albertsons at 4:28 p.m. after the store’s loss prevention officer caught the 25-year-old walking out of the store without paying for her items.

The loss prevention officer said that this had been a recurring act with the woman.

The police officer asked the woman if she was on public assistance and she responded that she receives EBT money for her two children. She said that baby items are expensive and she cannot afford it, adding that she has a third child on the way. Value of the stolen items was $18.32.

Along with the baby items, the woman stole deli food, a dozen doughnuts and other groceries.

Based on the other purchases, it did not appear she was stealing “to feed the children,” but rather because she did not want to pay, according to police reports. She was trespassed from the store and the report was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.