String of baby formula thefts may be connected

WESLEY CHAPEL (FOX 13) - Investigators are trying track down a bunch of baby-formula bandits.

There have been several cases, which law enforcement believe might be connected.

On April 6, five women entered the Publix on Race Track Road in Tampa. Deputies say they left without paying for several cans of baby formula.

The sheriff's office says they left the store in a white Mercury Grand Marquis.

On April 13, four women walked into the CVS on Bruce B. Downs in Wesley Chapel. Investigators say stole 12 cans of baby formula and get away, despite being confronted by an employee.

And on May 9, two women come out of the Publix on Sun City Center Boulevard with more than $500 worth of Enfamil and Similac baby formula, according to officials.

They left in a silver Infinity SUV.

Deputies believe the thefts may all be connected.

“We're trying to make that correlation but it’s not unusual in a case to see baby formula food or even supplies being used or targeted,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Danny Alvarez.

Deputies point out there are a ton of charitable and government assistance programs available to struggling parents.

“We definitely don’t want people stealing baby formula we understand why it happens it just shouldn’t happen,” Alvarez said.

Deputies also warn mothers about buying formula from shady sources.

“Baby formula, someone can tamper with [it]. You’d never want to risk your child just to save a few bucks,” he said.