State Police Recover More Diapers in $90K Heist

COVENTRY, RI—State police confirmed today they have recovered more diapers stolen from the $90,000 shipment bound for Fall River.

Police raided a storefront on Smith Street on Thursday and recovered 800 stolen boxes of diapers. They also arrested two suspects, but they are still looking for 1,200 missing boxes of diapers and a suspect.

According to police, $90,000 worth of diapers, which were to be delivered to the Amazon distribution center in Fall River, Mass., were stolen and diverted to Smith Hill.

Maj. Dennis Fleming, Detective Commander of the Rhode Island State Police, said two suspects have been arrested. [Sign up for free local news alerts and newsletters: Massachusetts|Rhode Island]

• Aubrey Bettis, also known as Mitchell Bettis, 59, of Providence, was charged with larceny over $1,500 and conspiracy.

• Damon Martin, 41, of Coventry, was charged with larceny over $1,500; receiving stolen goods; and conspiracy.

Both were arraigned today in Third District Court and released on personal recognizance.

A warrant has been issued for a third suspect. State police are not identifying that suspect yet.

Fleming said Bettis had been hired by the owner of the delivery truck to drive the load of diapers from a location in Pennsylvania to the Amazon distribution facility last Thursday (Feb. 9).

"But when he arrived in Rhode Island that night, he instead sold the diapers," police allege. "On Monday, Bettis allegedly called the truck’s owner to say he was not making the delivery and that the truck could be picked up in the parking lot of the Super Eight Motel in West Greenwich," Fleming said.

The truck owner, whose name was not released, immediately flew to Rhode Island and found the empty truck, Fleming said. He notified state police, who later tracked down and arrested the driver.

Police later learned that some of the diapers were being stored in an empty storefront at 451 Smith St. in Providence. After obtaining a search warrant, detectives went to the store about 11:15 a.m. today and recovered 800 boxes of diapers, Fleming said. Each box, which held about 100 diapers, sold for about $40.

State police are still searching for the third suspect, as well as the rest of the diapers, Fleming said.

Courtesy Photo RI State Police