Detroit police probe the problem of pilfered pickles
– Associated Press – Friday, December 2, 2016
DETROIT (AP) – Thousands of dollars of pickles, bloody mary mix and chips may have been pilfered from a pickle company in Detroit and sold by local stores at cut-rate prices, police said.
An inventory at McClure’s Pickles in Detroit prompted concerns, Detective Mike Pacteles said. The theft totaling more than $13,000 included 58 cases of chips worth $710 and $486 in bloody mary mix, The Detroit News reported (http://detne.ws/2ggcRec ).
“I have done a lot of things in my 18 years as a police officer, but didn’t think I would be setting aside other work to be out looking for a pickle bandit,” he said.
The pickles were in 5- and 1-gallon containers. Five area stores were found selling products at bargain prices, Pacteles said. Store owners or workers could face charges if they got the products illegally, he said, as well as anyone involved in the thefts.
“We assume that this is an inside job involving employees or former employees and will be able to eventually identify the person or persons involved, and they could be facing theft and embezzlement charges,” he said, adding the investigation has produced several suspects.
Asked about the case, McClure’s CEO Bob McClure told the newspaper: “I have my team on this and we are trying to get answers.”
