Stacey Johnson & Corey McElligot Shoplift From Rite Aid

**Sister Iroz** · March 2nd, 2009, 11:46 AM

ASHLAND —

After pulling over a couple suspected of shoplifting from Rite Aid, police found $900 worth of stolen baby formula, which had been taken from other pharmacies in MetroWest, police said.

Stacey Johnson, 29, of 43 Arcadia Drive, Dedham, and Corey McElligot, 31, of Williams Road, Hyde Park, were arrested at noon on Friday and charged with larceny over $250, receiving stolen property over $250 and shoplifting.

Sgt. Greg Fawkes said a manager at Rite Aid saw Johnson shoplifting in the store and followed her into the parking lot. After writing down a license plate number, the manager called police, who found the car.

Officer Mike Vinciulla pulled the car over and found the four cans of baby formula believed to have been stolen from Rite Aid on Union Street and 30 to 35 cans taken from other area stores. The couple also had several other stolen items in the car, including condoms, shampoo and razor blades. McElligot had several hypodermic needles in his pocket, said Fawkes.

Fawkes said the couple had stolen baby formula from many other pharmacies that morning before being caught. After the two were arrested, Johnson said she had stolen the merchandise from a few Walgreens stores in the area, but would not say which ones.

"They clearly had quite the scheme going," said Fawkes.

Baby formula retails for around $27 and has a high resale value. Fawkes called it "the item of choice" to be stolen from pharmacies.

At the time of her arrest, Johnson also was wanted on two warrants from Dedham District Court for larceny over $250.

Fawkes praised the quick reactions of the store manager and the arresting officer.

"We cleared up several crimes in the process," he said, adding that detectives are working on finding out which stores the baby formula in the car were taken from.

Johnson and McElligot, who police suspected of being under the influence of drugs, were taken to the hospital after their arrest and then released on bail.

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/ho...needles-razors

**Just my luck sucks** · March 2nd, 2009, 11:49 AM

Formula is $27 a can now??? Good Lord.

(I haven't bought formula in 15 years)

**Dakota Valkyrie** · March 2nd, 2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Just my luck sucks

Formula is $27 a can now??? Good Lord.

That was similar to my reaction... when I saw $900 worth of formula, I couldn't figure out how many that was but figured it had to be well over a hundred. Less than 40?? I'd breastfeed.

**Nell** · March 2nd, 2009, 04:21 PM

Cans of formula are between $13 and $35 dollars a can. Depending on the kind you need. And one can lasts about 3 to 4 days, so you must buy 10 cans a monthe. $130 to $350 a month for one kid. One of the reasons i am always broke. I breastfed the others so it was a shock!

**TheLittleFriend** · March 2nd, 2009, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Nell

. $130 to $350 a month for one kid.

Now I know why they don't put formula on shelves in Walmart.

**thebooblady** · March 2nd, 2009, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by Nell

Cans of formula are between $13 and $35 dollars a can. Depending on the kind you need. And one can lasts about 3 to 4 days, so you must buy 10 cans a monthe. $130 to $350 a month for one kid. One of the reasons i am always broke. I breastfed the others so it was a shock!

I get the Parent's Choice Walmart brand for $11.88 and it lasts about 6 days. She eats about 25-30 oz a day.

**Nell** · March 2nd, 2009, 05:34 PM

Then you are mighty lucky cause I have to buy Similac sensitive for her at $17 a can and she is a moose so she eats 10 to 11 cans a month. I was giving averages for what I have seen.

**tricia381** · March 2nd, 2009, 06:40 PM

Jesus, I havent bought formula in 4.5 years and that was just one or two cans a month for other people to be able to feed my daughter, I could never pump more than 2oz at a time.
Im in no hurry to deliver this baby, shes due in May. Prices have gone up so much on everything! Diapers, formula, bottles, baby gear, everything is so much more than when I had my 2nd kid 5 years ago. Damn inflation.
You know, if they had actually had a kid that needed that formula it wouldnt be so bad, but they were just stealing the stuff to sale on the streets for drugs. They should both be locked up and detoxed the hard way...with no help from anyone.

**thebooblady** · March 2nd, 2009, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Nell

Then you are mighty lucky cause I have to buy Similac sensitive for her at $17 a can and she is a moose so she eats 10 to 11 cans a month. I was giving averages for what I have seen.

I know I am lucky and thankfully she was breastfed for 6 months, exclusively for 3 or4 so that cut down on the cost too. Julia is 9 months old and she has never eaten more than 6 oz per feeding. My son used to gulp down 8.