Mark Linnehan said individuals tried to steal formula in three separate incidents Monday. No arrests were made. The chain stores are the main sellers of the formula in town. Thieves covet the infant formula as an easy item to steal and resell to smaller stores or on the black market, police say. Linnehan said many of the thieves are drug addicts looking for quick cash.
Addicts also use powdered formula to mix with heroin, authorities say.
Linnehan said thieves often go on stealing sprees in local grocery stores before unloading their haul of formula at smaller, corner stores in other towns and cities. He said the product is a staple, so customers may complain if it is not easily accessible. Preventing its theft is a mater of vigilance. Holyoke Police Lt. Brian Cassidy said the city has seen drug busts involving people trying to trade the formula for drugs on the streets.