SACRAMENTO -- Steve Reed has seen his share of shoplifters in his job in mall security, but the apparent brazen nature of a Northern California mother's crime even shocked him.

The incident began to unfold Monday at Sacramento's Arden Fair Mall on Monday.

"It initially started out with a complaint about a dog in a car with its windows rolled up," Reed said. "It was a large dog and appeared to be over-heating."

The dog was released from the car by animal control officials, but the real crime drama then began to unfold. Soon a mother and three children approached the car as mall security officials watched.

"When we watched the people come out to the car, we noticed that loss prevention was following closely behind," Reed said.

The mother, 41-year-old Christine Brown, was walking to the car with her daughters 5, 9 and 10 years old in tow.

They had been shopping at a Sears store inside the mall when they got the attention of undercover security guards.

"She had allegedly taken numerous items and that she had actually placed some of the items on the children," Reed said.

When police arrived on the scene, the extent of Brown's alleged crime became apparent.

"She took about $375 worth of merchandise," said Sacramento police Sgt. Lai Bui. "She put the clothing on the children hoping they would be able to walk out of the store with the clothing on."

Brown remained in custody on Wednesday and her three children in protective custody.

"It is disappointing to see parents treating their children this way -- putting their children in danger just for an article of clothing." Bui said.

Reed called the alleged crime "heartbreaking."

"It's heartbreaking because if is not sending the right message to children," Reed said.

Brown -- who has been arrested on theft charged before -- was being held on potential theft and child endangerment charges.