Spam theft prompts retailers to keep it locked up

It’s common for stores to keep some electronics and medications locked up to prevent theft.

But in Hawaii, retailers are starting to do it to protect Spam.

No, not junk mail. Spam: You know, in a can?

But it’s no joke — the canned meat is insanely popular there.

There have been a string of Spam thefts…

KITV4 reports 18 cases were abandoned by three women who attempted to steal the meat from a Long’s drugstore.

And eight cases were reported stolen from a Safeway on Oahu…

I guess you could say these thieves like spam-a-lot.

But they may not be taking it for themselves. The President of Retail Merchants of Hawaii suggests the thefts may be part of a “Spam black market.”

According to The Washington Post, one can costs around $2.50, but 8-packs and cases of 12 cans.

It’s gotten so bad, in early October, Honolulu PD say two men snuck a case of Spam out of a store on Fort Street Mall.

And one allegedly punched a security guard before they got away, with police offering a reward up to $1,000 dollars leading to their arrest.

That could get someone a whole lot of Spam.

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