A second suspect has been arrested in connection with multiple baby formula thefts at Fry’s grocery stores in Mesa and Tempe.
In total, there were 38 thefts of Similac Baby Formula from November of 2016 to May of this year, worth nearly $6,000.
Mesa police report that Fry's theft investigators came to them with evidence showing that 20-year-old Freddie Dominic De La Rosa was involved in 38 incidents of retail theft. On August 22, police arrested an accomplice in 24 of the burglaries, 18-year-old Hailey Chase Mayorga.
The investigators showed police surveillance video which reportedly shows De La Rosa and Mayorga placing baby formula canisters into a backpack and then leaving the store without paying for them.
They would allegedly make small purchases when they shoplifted the cans. During those purchases, De La Rosa would use his Fry's card. Officials were able to link De La Rosa to the crimes by the use of his card.
He was arrested by Mesa police near University and Mesa drives on August 8th and Mayorga was arrested in Phoenix near 7th Avenue and Osborn Road on August 22nd.
De La Rosa reportedly told police that the pair would sell the baby formula using the Offer Up app to support his drug addiction. Mayorga also allegedly admitted to police that she has a heroin addiction. Police say they found nine cans of stolen formula in his possession when he was arrested.
They have been charged with multiple counts of retail theft.
