Woman wanted for using children as pickpockets in Addison finally arrested

DALLAS - Dallas police arrested the woman seen on video using children to pickpocket in Addison six months ago.

Detectives in Addison identified 59-year-old Gail Denise Pratt in January. At the time she was seen on surveillance video helping a young girl steal from a woman's purse inside a restaurant. The victim's stolen credit card was later used at various stores.

FOX 4 found several other victims and police got a large number of tips after the video was released, but none that led them to Pratt until recently.

On July 7, a man reported seeing her in line at a Dallas post office. Dallas officers quickly showed up at the location and arrested her.

Pratt was booked into the Dallas County jail on two felony counts of credit card abuse. She was released the same day after posting her $30,000 bond. Addison police said her case is now in the hands of the district attorney.

Records show Pratt has a lengthy criminal history of theft, fraud, aggravated robbery and has several prior convictions for credit card abuse. FOX 4 was able to find at least seven previous mugshots of her in Dallas and Highland Park.

But Richardson police say it took her just over a week -- to strike again -- using a child to do her dirty work.

Kelly Pennington says Pratt distracted her while the girl, believed to be 10 or 11, stole $3,000 in cash, blank checks and company credit cards from Consignment Embassy on July 15.

"I had no idea that her kid was in my office stealing me blind," Pennington said.

Fingerprints left behind by Pratt on a to-go container left behind at Consignment Embassy helped police link her to the theft.

Richardson police have filled a warrant for Pratt's arrest. Once she is taken into custody, it would be her third arrest for theft within a two week period.

Pratt's attorney declined to comment to FOX4 about her client's arrests.