Baby Formula and Diaper Thief

[purplecat41877]

Yesterday, a shoplifter was caught stealing a whole bunch of baby formula and some diapers. The police ended up catching the shoplifter and the stolen items were recovered. The police officer had me ring up the stolen items on an empty register so he could have the amount of what the loss could've been. It turned out to be a very large amount.

The police officer got a copy of the receipt and I made another copy of the receipt on the copy machine. The store director got the copier copy when he came by later.

By the way, I didn't see the shoplifter. I found out after the stuff had been recovered.

[bigjimaz]

This is a double-edged sword for me. I know it's wrong and the shoplifter should be prosecuted, but as a dad, I'm going to do whatever it takes to feed my baby and if I don't have a job and can't get enough, or are ineligible for, assistance, I guarantee you that I would risk it. I know I got close a couple times right after my oldest was born and there were times when I actually thought about getting some stuff on the five finger discount. Fortunately for me and my family, I managed somehow without having to resort to stealing.

[tropicsgoddess]

I agree with bigjimaz, on something like that being a double-edged sword. I'm not a parent (won't be for a while...I'm 23), but when times do get rough and you have no help it could get you to resort to the five finger discount.

[GingerBiscuit]

Hmm, but what you have to remember is that if they're stealing that much it is more likely they are stealing it to sell it on. Which is a whole DIFFERENT thing.

[CaroPhoenix]

There have been articles in the local newspaper where I live about black market baby formula and diaper rings. No, really! And that the sellers are cutting it down with other "substances" - which is scary enough. But sheesh. I understand taking one can of formula and one bag of diapers, but over that, they're probably going to sell it. Hate to say it, but it's probably true.

[ShinyGreenApple]

Especially seeing as it's almost painfully easy for just about anyone to involve themselves in the WIC program. There's really no reason to be stealing the stuff. My store has taken to putting the formula behind the counter, and the customer has to ask the cashier or bagger to retrieve it for them.

[sbandliz]

I can sort of understand why the thief target these items as they are expensive - last I checked, nappies are easily AU$18 per pack and formulas are around AU$20 per can. How the thief hope to conceal their booty is beyond me though, as they are very bulky items.

Wouldn't it be easier to steal batteries or CDs?

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I'd wager the thief stole the stuff to re-sell it. There apparently is a big black market in urban areas for baby supplies like diapers and formula.

In fact, whenever we have people stealing formula, it's almost always because it's going to be resold.

We used to have to place sensormatic stickers on the formula cans and then tape the stickers to the cans, so they wouldn't fall off. Needless to say we weren't to excited to find baby formula in out truck freight because of the time we'd need to take to apply and tape down stickers. By now corporate has hit upon a new anti-theft solution for formula--big, hard, clear plastic flaps that are attached to the shelves and hang down over the formula. They slide so customers can still reach in and grab a can.

So basically, corporate's anti-theft solution for baby formula isn't a solution at all.

I can sort of understand why the thief target these items as they are expensive - last I checked, nappies are easily AU$18 per pack and formulas are around AU$20 per can. How the thief hope to conceal their booty is beyond me though, as they are very bulky items.

Easy--you put them in a shopping cart and push it out the door. If LP doesn't see you do it, or sees you do it but loses eye contact with you as you move through the store, they can't do a damn thing about it. A lot of these thieves are professionals and are good at doing this.

[HappyFun Ball]

I'd steal if i needed to.. But if she was stealing more than a couple of packs of diapers or formula, she's probably selling it.

After my 1st son was born, I had to resort to stealing (My ex husband didn't want kids and he walked out on me) I'd open a pack of diapers and stuff as many as I could in his diaper bag..

[Ree]

Stealing is wrong. Plain and simple.

I don't care how desperate a person is. There are ways to find help. Stealing costs all of us in higher prices.
If my store's profits start to go down because of heavy shrinkage, then I lose out on bonuses and other little perks that employees benefit from when profits are up.

[blas]

I've heard of the black market but I never imagined one with baby formula and diapers.

[MTNLaurelPoacher]

It probably was not necessity. Diapers and baby formula are very expensive and don't have alarm tags. They can be traded back in for cash with little question, or resold on the internet or through other outlets.

One of my friends worked for a big box retailer and they had this happen at their store and every store in the area. The large scale theft of formula and diapers. It was a organized effort. Weird, horrible and true.

[PorkChop]

Ree is right, stealing is just plain wrong!

If I was in a desparate situation where I had no money to feed a baby, I would go to the church. I know my church helps mothers (and fathers too) who are in trouble.

[Seshat]

There are many charities, in most first world places, all of whom will help feed a baby. Go to them before you're down to your last can of formula, and get yourself on their register of needy families.

If disaster strikes - you're flooded out, your home burns down, you're stolen from - tell the policeman/fireman/disaster relief worker that you're going to need charity to feed your kid till your insurance pays out. They should refer you to a social worker who can coordinate your case and see that your kid is fed and dry and clean while they organise a longer term solution.

If you can't get help and you're desperate, take yourself and your kid to a hospital and ask to see their social work staff. Or have the balls/ovaries to ask them to admit your baby as 'imminent dehydration and malnutrition'.

I understand the desperation of ensuring your child is fed and cared for, but stealing should be at the end of a very, very long chain of possible options. If you're willing to steal, be willing to plead. And hell, be willing to demand. Politely, but strongly.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

"I'll take these Huggies and whatever cash you have in the register....."