Thieves steal Christmas turkeys

Tim Leeds Havre Daily News [email protected]

Apparently thinking it is better to receive than to give or leave alone someone showed their Christmas spirit this week by stealing turkeys from the Havre Food Bank. Local law enforcement is looking for information on someone who Monday evening burglarized the Havre Food Bank, stealing 20 frozen turkeys that were to be distributed to needy families in the area. Penny Velk, manager of the food bank, said this morning that the theft occurred sometime between 5 and 8 p.m. “Somebody jimmied the lock and got in,” she said. The thief or thieves took five boxes each with four 12- to 14-pound turkeys, leaving the 20-pound turkeys that were in the food bank, located just north of the viaduct on 7th Avenue and 5th Street North. Velk said the food bank is beefing up its security a bit to prevent another theft from happening. “It's a shame we have to do that,” she added. “If someone really wants some food we would give them some.” The value of the turkeys was more than $280. Anyone who noticed a suspicious person or vehicle in the area of the food bank in the late afternoon or evening Monday is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 265-2512, the Havre Police Department at 265-4361 or Crimestoppers at 265-4444.