Police are investigating two recent thefts of baby formula from local stores, including a theft Tuesday of a case of Similac, valued at $90, along with several bags of baby diapers, taken from Jewel Osco store, 6120 U.S. Highway 14.
Store management called police at 10:35 a.m. Tuesday after a customer reported observing a male and female walking out of the store with the items, police said.
It was the second theft of baby-related items in Crystal Lake in less than a week. Last Friday, two people were observed leaving Eagle Food Store at 180 Virginia Street, with 80 cans of powdered Similac baby formula, valued at $855.
“We do have leads to follow up,” said Crystal Lake Police Lt. Howard Parth, who refused to give descriptions of the possible offenders, saying the matter is under investigation.
“It’s a substantial amount, for one target, of baby formula. It’s a peculiar object of theft, so (there may be) a secondary market somewhere.
“Hopefully, we’ll determine that by locating the offenders or gaining intelligence information from other departments,” Parth said, referring to other communities, which he did not name, that had reported similar thefts.
