Police in the US state of Pennsylvania are investigating a bizarre case of theft, where over one lakh eggs worth $40,000 (Rs 3.4 crore) were stolen from the back of a truck. A load of organic eggs was stolen from the back of a trailer in Pennsylvania's Greencastle on Saturday.

CREDIT: AP

According to the police, the eggs were being transported from a farm by Pete & Gerry's Organics when thieves struck the distribution trailer at night.

"Pete & Gerry’s is aware of a recent incident in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and we are actively working with local law enforcement to investigate," the company said in a statement. "We take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible. Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment any further on this matter."

CREDIT: AP

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, approximately 100,000 eggs were stolen, and an investigation is ongoing. Police did not provide further details.

The egg theft comes at a time when Pennsylvania, like other states in the US, is grappling with an acute shortage, which has also resulted in a sharp increase in prices.

CREDIT: AP

The average price per dozen eggs nationwide hit $4.15 (Rs 361) in December, and it is expected to increase by another 20% this year.

A bird flu outbreak in the US, which is said to be the biggest in a decade, is being blamed for the rise in egg prices in the country.

CREDIT: AP

Due to the bird flu outbreak, farmers across the US were forced to slaughter millions of chickens, resulting in a shortage in the supply of eggs and pushing prices across the country to more than double their cost in the summer of 2023.

CREDIT: REUTERS

H5N1 has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, cows, and other animals, and last month, the US recorded its first human fatality linked to bird flu in Louisiana.

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