63-year-old man arrested after allegedly stealing cheese worth PLN 400,000 dollars

A 63-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stealing more than 48,000 pounds of cheese worth nearly $400,000.

October 25 Sky News reported that over 22 tons of luxury cheddar cheese were stolen from a company in London. Neals Yard Dairy was allegedly defrauded by a fake buyer who posed as a wholesale distributor for a large retailer.

The three cheeses stolen were Hafod Welsh Organic Cheddar, Westcombe Cheddar and Pitchfork Cheddar, which the company says has won several awards and is among the most sought-after cheeses in the UK.

Just days after the theft investigation began, police arrested a 63-year-old man on charges of fraud and dealing in stolen goods.

Neals Yard Dairy shared the news on its Instagram page and posted an update on Wednesday, October 30.

“On October 30, we received information that the Warsaw Police Headquarters had arrested us in connection with the theft. We are grateful for the progress they have made and will continue to support their investigation in every way we can.”

The owner of the farm where Hafod Cheddar is made also spoke out about the theft, sharing his belief that the theft was done with ease.

“It may seem naive to be a victim of fraud, but the truth is that the world of artisan cheese is a place where trust is deeply embedded in all transactions,” said Patrick Holden.

“The breach of trust by this dishonest customer violates the atmosphere of good faith and respect that has epitomized all Neal’s Yard Dairy business relationships over the years. It’s a world where one word is a commitment.”

While this tacky situation was no small heist, it is far from the biggest food theft to occur in 2024. In August, a school cafeteria worker was sentenced to nine years in prison after stealing $1.3 million worth of chicken wings from his employer.