SUMTER, SC. — A Pilgrim’s Pride delivery truck driver was arrested on Nov. 25 for theft of approximately 33,000 lbs of chicken, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Christopher Thomas, age 55, was hired by Pilgrim’s Pride to deliver 41,000 lbs of chicken valued at around $80,000 to two locations in Milton, Ga.

Investigators believe Thomas sold part of the load he was transporting at various locations.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office began its investigation with the assistance of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office after receiving a tip.

Following the tip, law enforcement officials traveled to where Thomas had agreed to meet a buyer. Upon the truck driver’s arrival at the location, law enforcement performed a traffic stop.

Thomas consented to a search of the truck. When opened, the investigators saw pallets loaded with cases of frozen chicken confirmed to be pallets of stolen Pilgrim’s Pride products.

Thomas was arrested with seven pallets, loaded with 215 cases of chicken weighing 8,000 lbs. He was charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent.

Thomas was transported to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and is being held on a $50,000 Surety Bond.