'Back up or I'll cut you!' Charges Filed Against Baby Formula Robber

GREENFIELD/WAUWATOSA - It took a car chase and a foot pursuit by police before they were able to arrest the man accused in two robberies of hundreds of dollars in baby formula.

Brandon Smith, 22, Milwaukee, has been charged with armed robbery and misdemeanor retail theft, and could face up to 26-and-a-half years behind bars if convicted.

When he was caught, Smith told police he committed the crimes to help feed his family after he was let go at McDonald's for not showing up to work.

The incidents

Police responded to the Wauwatosa Target on May 14 on a report of a retail theft suspect pulling a knife on store security.

According to his criminal complaint, Smith was observed carrying a Target basket with containers of baby formula. Police say he walked past the cash register and when a loss prevention officer confronted him, Smith reportedly said "Back up, or I'll cut you," as he fashioned a box cutter with the blade exposed.

Police say he ran out the front door with $207 in baby formula into a waiting getaway car.

Two days later, police say he was at the Greenfield Target. Smith was observed filling baskets with baby formula and attempting to hide them by placing clothing over the basket as he walked out of the store.

Police say he walked out of the store without paying, and ran into the a waiting getaway car with $293 in baby formula.

Police caught up with Smith on May 30 in West Milwaukee, identifying the getaway car captured in store surveillance footage at the two robberies and engaging in a vehicle chase.

The chase lasted only a quarter-mile after officers conducted two PIT maneuvers on the Smith's vehicle. Once the chase stopped, Smith attempted to flee on foot before he was caught.