Man stole baby formula to pay for drugs, court told

A NORLANE man allegedly stole powdered baby formula to feed his drug habit, a court has heard.

Gregory Smith, 38, was caught trying to steal the in-demand product from a pharmacy in central Geelong last month, police alleged at his bail application in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Australian baby formula has become keenly sought-after in China, and late last year there were reports local shops were emptying their shelves to export the product.

The court heard the crime alleged against Mr Smith was a growing trend.

“The theft of baby formula is absolutely rife in this community,” police prosecutor Senior Constable Kylie Jane told the court yesterday. “We (police) are getting circulations and notifications on a daily basis about this.”

The court heard staff at a pharmacy in central Geelong stopped Mr Smith on April 22 as he tried to steal seven tins of baby formula he had concealed in a cooler bag.

The man removed four of the tins when confronted by the staff, but allegedly left the store without paying for the remaining three tins, and the court was told he sold them for $25 to feed his drug habit.

Police allege Mr Smith recently stole alcohol in a similar manner, and told the court his history of stealing from shops and committing thefts made him an unacceptable risk of committing further offences while on bail.

Magistrate John Lesser noted police had recently granted the man bail on assault-related charges that, on face value, seemed more serious than the theft allegations aired yesterday.

He granted his application for bail, but warned Smith if he reoffended he’d be kept in custody until his next court appearance on July 19.