Tampa woman linked to baby formula thefts around Florida, second suspect unidentified

LAKELAND (FOX 13) - A Tampa woman was arrested after cans of baby formula were stolen from a Lakeland store, and Polk County detectives said they need help in identifying a second suspect.

On April 17, around 6:30 p.m., detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Alexcia Calhoun and an unidentified woman entered Harvey’s Supermarket and headed straight to the aisle for baby products. The store is located at 2630 Highway 92 East in Lakeland.

Detectives said Calhoun placed 46 cans of formula into a shopping cart and returned to the front of the store. The duo forced open the doors and exited, as seen in surveillance video.

An employee followed them into the parking lot and asked if they planned on paying for the baby formulas, detectives said. Instead, Calhoun and the woman entered their vehicle and drove away, leaving behind 10 12.4-ounce cans of Enfamil Gentlease Baby Formula inside the shopping cart.

Detectives said the surveillance video and a photo on Calhoun’s Instagram account led to her arrest. They also said she may be connected to other baby formula thefts around Florida.

"Surveillance cameras and social media are great tools in helping us catch criminals,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd in a statement. “Folks, if you're going to steal, you're going to get caught. It's that simple, so don't do it."

As of Wednesday morning, Calhoun is being housed in the Hillsborough County Jail, with additional holds from Manatee and Marion counties related to baby formula thefts in those jurisdictions.

Anyone with information on the second suspect’s identity is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477 or online at www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com.