Shopping cart with theft disabling device

A method of retrofitting a shopping cart with an anti-theft device comprising the steps of

• a. Pivotally mounting the collapsible front suspension between the front side members of the base frame of the shopping cart;
• wherein said suspension comprises:
• a) a support having two opposing sides with surfaces;
• b) a sensor;
• c) two release pins moveably mounted to the support, the release pins comprising an outer end being extendable beyond the side surfaces, respectively;
• d) an activation mechanism;
• e) two linearly aligned hinge pins extending past the side surface;
• b. Mounting a front wheel assembly to the exterior of the suspension;
• c. Transmitting a trigger signal when a magnetic field or an audio frequency is sensed by the sensor;
• d. Retracting the release pins upon receipt of the trigger signal by the activation mechanism such that the release pin outer ends are not extending beyond the respective side surfaces in order to collapse the suspension along with the front wheel assembly for inhibiting the shopping cart from being pushed forward.

An anti-theft system for a shopping cart comprising:

• a front wheel support assembly mounted on a base frame of the shopping cart, said assembly comprises:
• a pair of front wheel coupled to the exterior of a collapsible housing;
• wherein the collapsible housing enclosed a sensor and a trigger mechanism;
• wherein said sensor is for sensing a magnetic field or an audio frequency and for generating a trigger signal;
• and
• said trigger mechanism adapted to collapse the support assembly from the base frame upon receipt of the trigger signal for inhibiting the shopping cart from being pushed forward;
• wherein said trigger mechanism comprises a contracting member that contracts upon heating.