That's because Brito, 31, had already used the credit cards inside and sent a text message demanding $200 for the purse's return, according to a criminal complaint.
The purse owner told police she left her purse on a bench in the Coronado Center mall Wednesday, and it was gone when she returned. According to the complaint, her credit cards were used at a gas station and a McDonald's, and someone attempted to use them at a Wal-Mart.
The purse owner sent a text message to her phone, which was inside the purse, asking for its return. Brito responded, saying she would return the purse for $200, according to the complaint.
The purse owner told police about the text message and arranged to meet Brito at University of New Mexico Hospital. When Brito arrived, she had her two children, ages 5 and 2, in the car with her, according to the complaint.
Brito was arrested and charged with theft of a credit card and two counts of endangering a child. She was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center, where she was being held Friday on a $15,000 bond.
Brito has previous arrests for prostitution and driving on a suspended license, according to court records.
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