$5,000 worth of baby formula stolen in West Sacramento. But that’s not the real crime | Opinion

Sacramento Bee ^ | January 28, 2025 | By Robin Epley

[artichokegrower]

Who steals baby formula? A lot of people, apparently; including two alleged thieves that West Sacramento police say stole $5,000 worth of formula from local Target locations a few days ago. Baby formula is a commonly stolen retail item because of its shelf life and essential value to many people. There’s even a black market for it — but the buyers aren’t who you’d guess

[artichokegrower]

How can our society so despise and punish modern-day thieves that steal baby formula — or a drink, or a loaf of bread — from multi-billion-dollar corporations, while venerating folk heroes like Robin Hood, William Tell or Zorro through the generations?

I invite all of you poor folk to break into this woman’s home and take what you want

[BenLurkin]

William Tell was a shoplifter?

[Tennessee Nana]

Oh yeah big time...

He stole apples from a multi-millionaire supplier...

[TheThirdRuffian]

Robin Hood stole from a corrupt government and gave back to the overtaxed.

[dfwgator]

Dennis Moore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbtVaTWs6II

[cnsmom]

Next there will be armed robberies of baby formula trucks.

[Damifino]

Robin Hood stole from a corrupt government and gave back to the overtaxed.

Read it again. Robin Hood stole from anyone he perceived to be rich and gave what he didn't spend on himself and his pals to those he perceived to be worthy.

[Dr. Sivana]

It seems feasible that a smash-and-grab of $5,000 worth of baby formula could be for just one family, or more likely an extended family, with multiple babies in need.

It seems MUCH MORE feasible that the young male hoods who aren't that interested in fatherhood steal $5,000 in baby formula and resell it through a fence to 'hood bodegas.

The next story will try to tell us that bottles of Tide detergent are stolen in smash and grabs because the hoods stealing them cannot get their clothes clean for their job interviews.

[KarlInOhio]

Jean Valjean got five years for stealing a loaf of bread. These guys should get more.

[TheThirdRuffian]

You might need to read the original and not depend on the Disney version.

[artichokegrower]

This woman is wishing for the assassination of the presidents of baby formula manufacturing companies. Sorta like the head of a health insurance company

[KarlInOhio]

and the cost of raising a child born in 2023 is approximately 30% more than a child born in 2011.

And the general rate of inflation during that time was 35.5%. The problem is the Congress, Treasury and Federal Reserve destroying the value of the dollar.

[Delta 21]

You can carry $5000 worth of baby formula in 2 grocery sacks. That stuff is expensive!

[cnsmom]

I hope not but there are too many criminals in this country looking for a quick buck.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

or a loaf of bread

Ah yes. The mythical loaf of bread that rioters steal in the minds of Lib politicians and journalists. Its Le Misérables in Los Angeles.

[ChildOfThe60s]

True. But in this case it’s the legend that is reality as opposed to the reality being the legend. What really matters is the perception of Robin Hood, not what he really was

[brookwood]

“But perhaps more importantly, a society that is reduced to regularly stealing baby formula is a society that can’t afford to feed its children”
The guy in the photo does not have a baby. He is stealing $1000 of baby formula to resell it on the “black market” as the article states. If he stole $5,000 worth it would be enough for about 3 years, but babies start to eat solid food in the first year. He is stealing baby formula because the clerk in a liquor store has a gun, but the clerk in Target doesn’t.

https://trustedcare.com/costs/baby-formula-cost

[EvilCapitalist]

Benny Hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUSJZ3ymuVs

[Resolute Conservative]

Here’s a novel idea, breast-feeding. What did we ever do before baby formula?

[AZJeep]

May, that’s why the formula is so expensive!
The store has to make up for the shoplifting?

But yes, baby formula is one of the biggest target for shoplifters. Easily stolen, easily sold. Easily handle.