Major League baseball has begun an independent...

Major League baseball has begun an independent investigation into charges that National League umpire Bob Engel shoplifted baseball cards, a newspaper reported.

Frank E. Clatanoff, a private investigator, made photocopies of court documents and interviewed an acquaintance of Engel, the Bakersfield Californian reported.

Engel, 56, is accused of shoplifting 4,180 baseball cards worth $143.98 from a Target store on April 21 and attempting to steal 50 packs of baseball cards from a Costco Warehouse in January.