15,711 Cases of Tuna--The Ones That Got Away

Some thieves out there may be real tired of eating tuna by now.

The Van Kamp seafood company reported Wednesday the loss of 15,711 cases of canned tuna worth about $439,908. The food was taken from the company’s warehouse on East Harbor Drive sometime between a June 10 inventory and a July 22 inventory, police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

The later inventory uncovered the loss, Robinson said, but a thorough search of the premises was conducted before police were called. He had no details on how the firm thought it might have misplaced nearly 720,000 cans.

Robinson said it was believed that the fish was not taken during regular working hours because at least four 40-foot trailers would have been needed to remove the goods.

The company did report that a lock was found cut at the 8th Avenue entrance to the warehouse July 8, Robinson said.

“It looks pretty fishy,” Robinson said. “They’re probably looking for a man who’s trying to buy two tons of mayonnaise.”