Detroit Police Probe Whether Pilfered Pickles Being Sold

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Detroit police say thousands of dollars of pickles, bloody mary mix and chips may have been pilfered from a pickle company and sold by some area stores at cut-rate prices.

Detective Mike Pacteles says an inventory check at McClure's Pickles in Detroit prompted concerns. The theft totaling more than $13,000 included 58 cases of chips worth $710 and $486 in Bloody Mary mix, according to a report in The Detroit News. The pickles were in 5- and 1-gallon containers.

Pacteles says five area stores were found selling products at bargain prices; jars that are usually sold for $9 to $10 a piece were being sold for just $3 or $4.

"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," Pacteles told the newspaper.

Asked about the theft and investigation, McClure's CEO Bob McClure told the newspaper: "I have my team on this and we are trying to get answers."

Store owners or workers could face charges if they got the products illegally. Pacteles told The News that the theft is likely an inside job involving employees or former employees.

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