Man charged with fraud after police say he falsely reported theft of 45,000 chicks

A brown chick is seen in this undated stock image. (Brenda Timmermans/Pexels.com)

A South Huron man has been charged after police said he reported a theft that never happened.

Ontario Provincial Police began investigating claims that 30,000 15-day-old chicks were taken overnight in April 2023.

Later, the 41-year-old farmer changed his story and said a total of 45,000 chickens had been stolen.

The total loss was estimated at $139,000.

Police said the farmer filed an insurance claim for his alleged losses.

Now, more than two years later, police claim the reported theft never happened and charged the man with fraud over $5,000 and public mischief.

Investigators were not sure what happened to the chicks, but the OPP said they did exist and confirmed they had been delivered to the farm. Police believe they were “disposed of” by the farmer.