Theft comes as egg prices have skyrocketed amid the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu.
Police are investigating theft of about 100,000 eggs from behind a distribution trailer in central Pennsylvania on Saturday, according to Pennsylvania Police.
First class trooper Megan Fraser, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Police, said Wednesday that authorities were not receiving a lead in the theft.
“We rely on leads from people in our community,” she said. “So they want someone to know something, so they want them to call us and give us some tips.”
Police are following up on potential witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to identify the perpetrator, Fraser said.
In a statement provided to the media outlet, the egg supplier spokesman is aware of the recent incident in Franklin County and “we are actively working with local law enforcement to investigate.” I stated.
“We take this issue seriously and are committed to solving it as soon as possible,” the spokesman said. “Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further on this issue.”
Egg prices go up
Since the first detection of avian flu in 2022 in commercial flocks, more than 150 million chicken birds have been affected across all 50 states.
As a result, household staple food prices have more than doubled since the summer of 2023, with the average national price reaching $4.15 in December, but with a record of $4.82 two years ago, It’s not as high as the record.
The egg theft comes after Louisiana’s first U.S. fatality was reported last month in Louisiana.
Authorities said the individual died weeks after being hospitalized. They added that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
A total of 67 cases of human avian influenza have been confirmed in the United States since 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC said current public health risks remain low. Health officials urged people in contact with sick or dead animals, especially wild birds and poultry, to take precautions such as respiratory and eye protection and wearing gloves.
The Epoch Times contacted state police and Pete & Jerry spokesmen for further comment.
AP communication has contributed to this report.