NEWS WATCH: RETAILERS CONTEND WITH SEAFOOD THEFT

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Loss-prevention officials from Giant of Carlisle worked with undercover police here to catch small local grocers who knowingly purchased shrimp that had been stolen from Giant's stores, according to a published report. Dubbed "Operation Bubba Gump," the sting led to the arrests of three men at two small grocery stores who bought stolen shrimp from undercover police officers, the report said. Police said drug abusers routinely steal items from supermarkets, including seafood, and exchange them for "pennies on the dollar" at neighborhood grocery stores. Local police here receive an average of two to three retail theft reports per day from local supermarkets, according to the report. A loss prevention official from Giant was quoted as saying shrimp in particular is a growing target for theft, though a spokesman for the retailer declined to answer additional questions from SN regarding the issue.