Vegetable bandits strike as food prices soar

[slowz1k]

By WILLIAM NEUMAN
The New York Times
updated 4/15/2011 4:32:11 AM ET 2011-04-15T08:32:11

The high price of produce, especially for tomatoes after the deep winter freezes, has attracted more than heightened attention from consumers. A ring of sophisticated vegetable bandits was watching, too.

Late last month, a gang of thieves stole six tractor-trailer loads of tomatoes and a truck full of cucumbers from Florida growers.

They also stole a truckload of frozen meat. The total value of the illegal haul: about $300,000.

Rest of story here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42603382/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times/?GT1=43001

[Omegaman]

Wow, like how do you fence truck loads of perishable foods with out some one catching wind of it.

[Brother Bill]

That's a sad thing. Did anyone see the dork on TV saying you don't need a garden because by the time your tomatoes become ripe they will be available from stores.

[PT945]

Wow, like how do you fence truck loads of perishable foods with out some one catching wind of it.

Ill bet half if not more of what was stolen just gets dumped becase of rotting.

[PT945]

That's a sad thing. Did anyone see the dork on TV saying you don't need a garden because by the time your tomatoes become ripe they will be available from stores.

LOL. Reminds me of something I read at my local butcher, a lady wrote to the paper about why do people raise cows just to kill and eat can't they just get there meat at the store so an animal don't have to die.

[Skyowl's Wife]

LOL. Reminds me of something I read at my local butcher, a lady wrote to the paper about why do people raise cows just to kill and eat can't they just get there meat at the store so an animal don't have to die.

*rolls eyes*

Ain't it the truth!

I remember a couple of high-profile thefts during the last "oil crisis" - of gas tankers. We'll probably see more of this.