Theft Charge Possible In Cold (Cut) Case

SEPTEMBER 10--An Ohio supermarket worker could face criminal charges after her employer told cops that she consumed more than $9000 worth of deli meat during the past five years she has worked for the business.

According to the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, a loss prevention manager for the Giant Eagle chain reported Friday that the 36-year-old suspect had been helping herself to slices of ham and salami from the deli counter at the store in Bolivar, a village about 15 miles south of Canton.

The Giant Eagle representative told cops that a tipster had reported that the employee ate three to five slices of deli meat daily (and had been doing so since she began working at the supermarket). The worker allegedly "has been consuming product from the deli in Giant Eagle over the past 5 years," a sheriff's call record report notes.

The sheriff's report does not indicate how Giant Eagle calculated that the worker had stolen $9200 worth of ham and salami. When questioned Friday, the employee, Catherine Brenick, reportedly confessed to the deli meat pilferage, "but did not wish to give a statement."

While police said they took a report about the alleged theft at the request of Giant Eagle, any charging decision rests with the local prosecutor’s office. However, Sheriff Orvis Campbell noted that felony charges were “unlikely” in the cold cut case.

It is unclear whether Brenick has been terminated from Giant Eagle, which operates more than 400 stores. On Brenick's Facebook page, her employment history includes the notation "Former Deli at Giant Eagle."

The Bolivar supermarket is pictured below. (1 page)