DOCUMENT: Bizarre, Crime

No Charges For Worker In Cold Cut Theft Case

Market claimed employee ate $9200 worth of meat

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Cold (Cut) Case Closed

SEPTEMBER 20--The deli worker who admitted eating more than $9000 worth of ham and salami while on the job at an Ohio supermarket will not face criminal charges, according to prosecutors.

The decision to decline pursuit of a case against Catherine Brenick, 36, came after representatives of the Giant Eagle chain told law enforcement officials that they did “not wish to pursue this matter,” according to a letter sent to police by Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Ryan Styer.

The decision by Giant Eagle, a 400-store chain, came days after a loss prevention officer contacted police to report that Brenick had been consuming slices of ham and salami from the deli counter at the store in Bolivar, a village about 15 miles south of Canton.

Citing a tipster, the Giant Eagle official alleged that Brenick ate three to five slices of meat daily and "has been consuming product from the deli...over the past 5 years," a sheriff’s report noted.

The cold cut case resulted in news stories nationwide, likely prompting Giant Eagle management’s decision to drop the matter.

According to cops, Brenick (seen at left) reportedly admitted consuming the ham and salami, but she declined to provide investigators with a statement. The sheriff’s report does indicate how Giant Eagle calculated that $9200 in sliced meat was pilfered.

On her Facebook page, Brenick’s employment history includes the notation "Former Deli at Giant Eagle." (2 pages)