Pennsylvania State Police are scrambling to solve a peculiar crime: the theft of 100,000 eggs from a distribution trailer in Antrim Township over the weekend, The Associated Press reports.
The incident, which occurred Saturday around 8:40 p.m., has left investigators with few leads and a mounting sense of urgency, especially as egg prices continue to soar nationwide.
According to Trooper First Class Megan Frazer, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police, the investigation is ongoing, with police exploring all avenues to identify the perpetrator.
The stolen eggs, valued at around $40,000, were taken from the back of a Pete & Gerry’s Organics distribution trailer. The sheer scale of the theft qualifies the crime as a felony, according to police.
The unusual heist comes amidst a backdrop of skyrocketing egg prices, driven by the ongoing avian influenza outbreak that has forced farmers to cull millions of chickens. This has pushed U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost compared to the summer of 2023. With Easter approaching, experts predict the price surge is likely to continue.
The average price per dozen eggs nationwide reached $4.15 in December, slightly below the record high of $4.82 set two years ago. However, the Agriculture Department forecasts that egg prices could climb another 20% this year.
