Pennsylvania thieves steal 100,000 organic eggs.
Authorities have turned to the local community to help solve the case. Egg prices have soared due to a bird flu outbreak, meaning the thieves have about $40,000 worth of eggs on their hands.
A sign reads, "Due to supply shortages, availability may be limited in the coming weeks," in the egg aisle of a grocery store on January 23, 2025 in Miami, Florida.
Police in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania were seeking clues Wednesday to identify thieves who stole 100,000 organic eggs four days ago.
An outbreak of bird flu in the United States has forced farmers to euthanize millions of chickens a month, more than doubling the price of eggs by the summer of 2023.
Egg theft linked to price hike
Law enforcement officials say the theft may be linked to the high cost of eggs. Police said Wednesday they were relying on people in the community for clues about the incident.
Police are also reviewing surveillance footage to help identify the perpetrator.
"In my career, I've never heard of a hundred thousand eggs being stolen. This is truly unique," said Pennsylvania State Police spokeswoman Trooper First Class Megan Frazer.
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10,000 organic eggs for the price of a small Fabergé egg
The eggs were stolen from the back of a Pete and Gerry's Organics delivery trailer Saturday night in Antrim Township, Pennsylvania, police said. The eggs are worth about $40,000 (38,500 euros), making the crime a felony, Frazer said.
In a statement to several U.S. media outlets, Pete and Gerry's Organics said it was working with law enforcement to resolve the matter.
In the United States, the average price for a dozen eggs reached $4.15 by the end of 2024, double the price in the summer of 2023.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects egg prices to rise by up to 20% this year due to a shortage.
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