ANTRIM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The recent theft of 100,000 eggs from a trailer in Pennsylvania has left authorities baffled and searching for answers. Following the incident, which law enforcement believes may be linked to the soaring egg prices, there have been no solid leads in the case as of Wednesday. Trooper First Class Megan Frazer, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police, expressed the department’s hope that community members might hold vital information that could aid in the investigation.
“We’re relying on leads from people in the community,” she noted, “So we’re hoping that somebody knows something, and they’ll call us and provide some tips.” The police are also actively engaging with potential witnesses and examining surveillance footage to gain insights into the identity of the culprit as they work to solve this unusual case.
“This is definitely unique,” Trooper Frazer remarked, “In my career, I’ve never heard of a hundred thousand eggs being stolen,” highlighting the rarity of such a crime during her dozen years on the force. The theft occurs amidst a critical period for the egg supply, as farmers are facing the dire consequences of the ongoing bird flu outbreak, leading to the culling of millions of chickens every month. This situation has caused U.S. egg prices to surge, more than doubling since the summer of 2023. With Easter on the horizon, the inflated prices show no sign of stabilizing.
The average cost of a dozen eggs nationwide reached $4.15 in December. While this figure is lower than the record-high price of $4.82 two years ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued warnings that egg prices could spike by another 20% in the coming year.
The theft, which took place around 8:40 p.m. on a Saturday at a distribution trailer belonging to Pete & Gerry’s Organics, is not only significant in quantity but also in value, amounting to an estimated $40,000, categorizing the act as a felony under state law.
In response to the incident, Pete & Gerry’s Organics LLC released a statement affirming their commitment to collaborating with law enforcement in the investigation. “We take this matter seriously and are dedicated to resolving it as efficiently as possible,” the company stated, emphasizing their proactive stance on the situation.
