MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Three females from Miami are facing charges after deputies say they stole baby formula from multiple Publix stores in Martin County.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the thefts happened on March 17 at a Publix located along Southeast Federal Highway.
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Investigators say surveillance video shows a black Nissan Kicks pull up to the front of the store with its hazard lights on. Three women then went inside and headed straight to the baby formula aisle.
Deputies say the women spent several minutes loading containers of formula into large shoulder bags before walking out of the store without paying, then getting back into the waiting vehicle.
Store employees reported nearly $800 worth of baby formula stolen from that location, including brands like Similac, Enfamil, and Nutramigen.
While deputies were still investigating, authorities say the same suspects carried out a similar theft at another Publix just a few miles away, stealing nearly $700 more in formula.
The vehicle and suspect descriptions were shared with nearby agencies, and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper later spotted the SUV on Interstate 95 near Hypoluxo Road and conducted a traffic stop.
Inside the vehicle, troopers say they found 262 cans of baby formula valued at approximately $8,000. Investigators say they have not yet confirmed where all of the formula was stolen from.
The three suspects were identified as:
Amoni Pettway, 18A 15-year-old girl Tanajiah Mason, 18
All three were taken into custody and are facing charges of retail theft over $750 involving multiple thefts.
According to the report, one of the suspects told deputies the group planned to sell the stolen formula, allegedly making about $1,000 for every 100 cans. She also told investigators the group carried out thefts several times a week.
The total confirmed loss reported between the two Martin County stores is more than $1,400.
The investigation remains ongoing.