West Fargo police say steaks weren't stolen

WEST FARGO - A reported employee theft of 17½ cases of steaks from a West Fargo business last week turned out to be a case of the employee not turning in the money from the sale of the meat, police said.

West Fargo Assistant Police Chief Mike Reitan said it turns out Dakota Country Foods' owner was out of town and had authorized the employee to sell the meat, which was valued at $2,100. The employee did so but didn't give the money to the owner, he said.

A report that the company's truck was abandoned in north Fargo also turned out to be false, Reitan said.

The police report will be forwarded to the Cass County State's Attorney's office for consideration of charges, but it probably will be a civil matter because of the arrangements made between the employer and employee, Reitan said.