Alleged Formula Thieves Nabbed After High Speed Chase

Two men, one from North Reading, and a woman are facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a large amount of baby formula and then leading Tewksbury Police on a high-speed chase.

According to a Tewksbury Police report, a call came in on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 1:50 p.m. from a loss prevention employee at Walmart on Route 38. The caller said that a person had just walked out of the store with a shopping cart filled with baby formula without paying. The employee was able to provide a description of the vehicle the suspect left in.

Three units were sent to the scene and the suspect's vehicle, which had New Hampshire plates, was spotted turning left out of the Walmart parking lot. According to the report, the suspect refused to stop for police and took the onramp to head North on Route 495.

Tewksbury Police continued the pursuit on 495 and the suspect left the highway, taking Exit 39 onto Andover Street in Tewksbury. After getting onto Andover Street, the suspect did stop along the side of the rode and three people exited the car and tried to flee on foot.

All three were quickly apprehended and taken into custody.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as William Thorn, 38, 15 Pine St., Seabrook, NH. He is charged with failure to stop for a police officer, larceny over $250, receiving stolen property under $250, marked lanes violation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding and conspiracy.

The two passengers in the car were Sean E. Burke, 28, 6 Homestead Terrace, North Reading and Sonya L. Meroth, 23, 9 Thissell Ave., Dracut. Both were charged with larceny over $250, receiving stolen property under $250 and conspiracy.