Burglars steal meat from food bank

DECATUR, Ill. -- Burglars hit a food bank here, making off with about 200 pounds of frozen turkeys and chickens meant for people in need.

Police had no leads Friday in their investigation of the burglary at the Northeast Community Fund sometime between late Tuesday and early Wednesday, Sgt. Steve Chabak said.

The agency distributes clothing, household items and food.

"We have some fingerprint work to do," Chabak said. "We haven't received any information or leads."

Burglars also took some laundry detergent, police said.

The burglars broke the agency's front door with a tire iron, said Jerry Pelz, the agency's executive director.

"I doubt the people who stole these items did it because they were hungry," Pelz said. "We'd give food to anyone that needed it. They probably did it to sell to feed a habit."

Chabak said frozen meat can be traded for drugs on the street.

Missing from the agency are up to 15 Riverside 12-pound frozen turkeys and up to 45 Country Pride 2-pound frozen chickens.