Credit: DisneyA 52-year-old woman was recently arrested at Walt Disney World Resort after a bizarre theft incident.
Theft-related arrests are not uncommon at Walt Disney World. Earlier this year, a 27-year-old Orlando man was accused of stealing approximately 50 Disney trading pins worth around $900 from a Disney Springs merchandise location. Authorities charged him with grand theft after employees reported seeing him conceal the pins and leave without paying.
Other recent cases have ranged far beyond shoplifting. In late 2025, a valet attendant working at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge was arrested after allegedly stealing a guest’s checkbook and cashing nearly $1,300 in fraudulent checks. That same year, investigators searched for a suspect who reportedly stole between $10,000 and $20,000 from Disney Springs restaurant Paddlefish after entering the property wearing scuba gear.
The latest case, however, involved an alleged scheme that involved a guest’s young daughter.
Woman Accused of Coordinating Disney Pin Theft
According to Orange County authorities, Ivette Perez, 52, was arrested and charged with third-degree grand theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Court records show Perez has entered a not guilty plea.
The incident unfolded on April 12 at Disney’s Pin Traders location. Employees reported seeing a juvenile girl taking Disney trading pins and placing them into a bag without paying.
One employee estimated that around 15 pins were taken. Another told investigators she witnessed the girl steal closer to 40 pins, according to the sheriff’s report. Authorities did not disclose the girl’s exact age, only describing her as a juvenile.
During the alleged theft, an adult woman wearing green ā later identified by investigators as Perez ā approached employees and requested a clear plastic bag. Store workers reportedly found the timing suspicious and believed the request may have been intended to divert attention from the girl.
The juvenile eventually left the store without purchasing the merchandise. Authorities later located and detained her at the nearby World of Disney store in Disney Springs.
Investigators said Perez and the girl were found with stolen merchandise valued at approximately $2,030. That total included Disney pins and other items allegedly taken from stores.
According to the arrest report, Perez later admitted she knew the juvenile was stealing merchandise and said she did not have enough money available to purchase the pins.
Authorities also reviewed text messages exchanged between Perez and the girl. The messages allegedly instructed the juvenile to hurry and return to the vehicle before they were discovered carrying the stolen merchandise.
The sheriff’s report alleges Perez played an active role in the thefts by allowing the juvenile to keep the merchandise and by possessing stolen items herself.
“Contributed, aided, and abetted to the thefts by allowing [the girl] to keep the stolen items. Furthermore, Ivette was in possession of several stolen products, indicating she was working in coordination with [the girl] to commit the thefts in her presence,” the report stated.
Records also indicate Perez has a prior criminal history in Miami-Dade County. Her attorney, Public Defender Melissa Vickers, declined to comment on the case.
Disney Cracks Down Against Pin Theft
Disney moved quickly to tighten controls around pin sales after another high-profile pin theft case earlier this year.
After an Orlando man was arrested after allegedly stealing around 50 Disney trading pins in March, guests reported seeing more pins kept behind counters or displayed in secured cases at select retail locations.
Cast members also appeared to increase monitoring around pin displays, particularly at Disney Springs’ Pin Traders, where many limited-edition releases are sold.
