Granted since this guy had three accomplices and a stolen car the diapers were probably not for a baby. But wtf? Diapers for resale?
Who wouldn't just buy those normal house hold items at the store?
Im a former drug addict (clean 6 years) and i can speak from the perspective of someone whos done these types of crimes.
The market for diapers, formula, razors, and all hygiene products is the best wide open market for thieves and fences. The reason being hygiene
products are required by nearly everyone, they are costly, and they are not covered (in Wisconsin at least) by any type of public assistance. Meaning
you cant purchase them with a food stamp card, snap benefits, or WIC. Leaving consumers who live below the poverty line to fend for themselves.
The #1 purchasers of these stolen items, believe it or not, is other retailers. Mainly the small 'Mom & Pop' corner stores (some call them Bodegas)
that litter heavily populated urban areas. The smaller items are very easy to steal and sell fast. Stealing diapers is more of a 'smash and grab' type
of theft.
As an example (these are 2010 prices) ill list some of the prices i was paid (as best as I remember) from owners of these corner stores.
8 pack of Gillette Fusion razors:
Retail- $21.00 Me-$5.00 Corner Store-$25.00
Similac infant formula:
Retail-$13.00 Me- $5.00 Corner Store- $18.00
(Formula is covered under state assistance, but usually not enough for a month)
Skyy Vodka:
Retail- $25.00 Me- $10.00 Corner Store- $30.00
Name brand underarm deodorants:
Retail- $4 - $5.00 Me- 2 for $3.00 Corner Store- 6-$7.00
Huggies 104 pack infant diapers:
Retail- $20.00 Me- $7.00 Corner Store- $25.00
I could go on and on.....
Pawn shops ask for I.D. and record serial numbers etc. The guy who owns the corner store doesnt. These corner store owners know exactly what theyre
doing, and what they are purchasing. Anyone whos lived in poverty knows where to get diapers if they REALLY need diapers. You can go to ANY church, or
ANY hospital and they will give you 10. (I don't have kids, but had 'friends' who did). So as far as the OP mentioning this man was shot for trying to
"care for a child", dont believe it for one second.
Everyone reading this please understand, IN NO WAY DO I CONDONE THEFT, OR SALE OF STOLEN ITEMS. Also I AM NOT PROUD OF MY PAST. Ive made many
mistakes, which i paid for, with several years in prison, not to mention the years of pain and suffering I BROUGHT UPON MYSELF, and my family and
friends as a result of drug addiction. Ive been clean for 6 years, and continue to remain clean by helping others who are addicted, and informing
those who are unaware of how the 'seedy' underbelly of society works.
Believe me, it is absolutely WONDERFUL that you are unaware of that side of society. I dont wish it upon anyone! It is not glamorous. It is not cool.
It is NOT A LIFE AT ALL.
But it is, and will always be there, and this is just another tragic story resulting from it.