Hundreds of
cans of baby
formula seized
from church van


By Misti Drew
Tribune-Courier News Editor
mdrew@tribunecourier.com

BENTON – Two couples have been arrested for shoplifting large quantities of baby formula in local Wal-Mart stores.

Investigators say they believe the items were being shipping to Mexico for re-sale on the black market.

The investigation began when Benton Wal-Mart loss prevention agents observed a shoplifter and gave chase out of the store last week.

A good samaritan saw the incident unfold and called police while following the fleeing vehicle.

Deputy Nathan Maxlow was dispatched to the Purchase Parkway where he identified the vehicle in question and conducted a traffic stop. A search of the van revealed hundreds of cans of baby formula and other miscellaneous items believed to have been stolen, as well.

Lettering on the side of the vehicle indicate it was once used as a church van for Straw Floor Baptist.

According to police reports, Alejando Hernandez, Maria Olivares, Juan Raso and Yolanda Tramirez, all of Houston, Texas, admitted the formula had been stolen from several Wal-Mart stores in the surrounding area and stated they were transporting them back to Texas.

Further investigation revealed the couples were allegedly shipping the items to Mexico where they were being sold on the black market.

All were charged with receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking over $500 and lodged in the Marshall County Detention Center.

The van used in the commission of the crimes was searched last week by deputies and Lacy, the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force drug dog.

While Lacy indicated several “hits” on the vehicle, no drugs were found inside. However, a closer look by deputies revealed that most panels in the van had been removed at one time or another.

While the theft of such items has not reached epidemic proportions locally, the rising costs of baby formula, between $10 and $35 per can, has made the theft and re-sale of such items a booming empire for criminals nationwide.

Earlier this year, Florida investigators busted a smuggling ring that was responsible for stealing more than $2.5 million in baby formula over the course of one year.

More than 3,000 cans were seized during the investigation and 22 arrests made.

In Tennessee, authorities made two traffic stops along interstate highways within the past year that netted more than 4,500 cans of stolen Similac and Enfamil powdered formula.

The Food Marketing Institute, an industry group that maintains a list of the 50 most stolen items from supermarkets, said that cases of Similac-brand powdered formula ranked No. 7 and individual cans of Similac followed at No. 8. In light of increased thefts, many retailers have resorted to placing the items behind lock and key.

In recent reports, FBI Director Robert Mueller has even linked stolen baby formula to terrorism, saying proceeds from black market sales have been used to support organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.