COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -- Investigators say a 19-year-old woman has been charged in numerous thefts of powdered baby formula from area Walmarts last month.
19-year-old Kwanita Cooper, also known as Janay Williams, is facing charges of Grand Theft after being arrested January 21st.
"I don't know, I don't know nothing about it, all I know is she got caught for it," said a man who answered the door at Williams' Cape Coral home.
According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, Williams stole hundreds of cans of Enfamil baby formula from three different stores throughout January by loading the cans in a motorized cart and driving out of the store without paying.
Investigators have tied her to four different thefts at the Walmart at 5420 Juliet Boulevard in Naples, stealing 40-50 cans each time with an overall value of over $2,700.
She also reportedly hit the Walmart at 3451 Tamiami Trail East in Naples, stealing 40 cans of formula.
They say she also is responsible for several thefts at the store at 6650 Collier Boulevard in Naples, stealing $2,400 worth of formula. It was at this store she was finally arrested on January 25th.
It's not clear why Williams stole the formula or what she intended to do with it.
Baby formula is available for resale on Craigslist and E-bay, as well as on the black market. Health experts advise against purchasing baby formula from second hand sources. It may not be stored at proper temperatures, could be tampered with, or have counterfeit labeling.
