Large frozen fowl delivery fouled up

Alleged break-in spoils thousands in chicken intended for cat food

By Journal Times staff

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:41 PM CDT

BURLINGTON — Thousands of dollars in frozen chicken destined for cat food had to be thrown out after someone reportedly broke into the cab of a semi truck and tried to get into the trailer.

A man told police his semitrailer had been burglarized on Sept. 20 when it was parked in the semitrailer parking lot at 9999 Maryland Ave. He said he was returning to his truck after eating at a local restaurant when he saw a pair of his pants on the ground.

When he opened the driver’s side door he reportedly saw a male subject wearing a white shirt and blue jeans inside his truck.

He said he tried to stop the person from getting out of the truck, but could not. He said he chased the subject but lost sight of him between two houses.

The man reported that several X-rated DVDs, $18,000 in jewelry, a Sony PlayStation 3, laptop computer, radar detector, hooded sweat shirt and $200 in cash were missing from the truck.

The owner of the trucking company said the cargo the man was carrying — $7,000 in frozen chickens due for delivery at Friskies cat food company — were worthless because the seal on the rear doors was broken.

Burlington police interviewed David Polkey, 17, 357 E. Market St., Burlington, who initially claimed he was with friends who had thrown his cell phone into the truck and that he had gone into the cab to retrieve the phone. When the owner confronted him, he said he took off running. Later in the interview, Polkey reportedly said he entered the vehicle at least twice and took the PlayStation 3, video games and movies. He said he knew nothing about the jewelry.

Polkey also reportedly told police that a friend tried to enter the semitrailer. Polkey was on bond for misdemeanor disorderly conduct and retail theft.

He faces new charges of burglary, theft and misdemeanor bail jumping. If convicted, he could face up to $60,000 in fines and more than 23 years imprisonment, which includes time in prison and on probation or extended supervision. His bond on the new case has been set at $500.

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