The Fridge Thief Strikes Again... Advice Needed.

[AKL_Megs]

A few weeks ago, someone else posted about a workplace fridge thief. It seems as though it is now my turn.

Let me preface by saying that a nice insulated cooler with ice packs is NOT an option. I am a flight attendant, and I am limited to the number of bags I can lug on a plane with me while I work. I already bring one insulated lunchbox that carries my dry goods, and any frozen foods that I will eat for the day. Since I (and my co-workers alike) are gone for days at a time, we rely on our office fridge to keep the food we will need for the rest our work week, as we don't go home at the end of the day.

With that said, someone keeps stealing my frozen dinners. It is strange, because nothing in the fridge gets touched, but for the past few weeks, someone has been taking my frozen Lean Cuisine's.

I have been writing my name in bold letters across the boxes, but they still seem to disappear, which makes me think that this thief strikes when nobody is around.

I am tempted to write a note and tape it on the fridge door... something like, "To whoever keeps feeling the need to steal my $2 Lean Cuisine... Here is $2. Now go buy your own so I can eat mine. Thank you." And actually tape on there two dollar bills.

I am also tempted to wrap them in bright yellow paper or something like that, or to smear something like cocoa butter all over them... so that it feels gross to them, and then they wonder what it is, but something that I can just rub into my hands when I touch it.

I need some suggestions... but keep in mind before you suggest dye or some other additive... these are only my FROZEN dinners.

 

[kidzmom3]

just thinking while typing. Could you get a box for a gross flavor and put the good flavor you like inside it?

 

[AKL_Megs]

just thinking while typing. Could you get a box for a gross flavor and put the good flavor you like inside it?

Hmm... could work, but I don't think Lean Cuisine makes a Boiled Fish in Fish Sauce meal!

 

[quasar4legs]

Buy one of those lockable petty cash boxes and put that in the freezer with your food inside.

Good Luck.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

WE HAD A KITCHEN THIEF.

It got quite bad. With the Frozen meals, If i brought one in I just left it in my desk. It was still frozen at lunchtime, and took less time to nuke.

Someone had Soy milk that someone else would use.

She/he put a post it on it syaing

"I spit in this"

I so badly wanted to add to the post it

"So did I"

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I say wrap them in decorative towels. Everyone knows not to touch those!! ( couldn't resist)

 

[AKL_Megs]

I say wrap them in decorative towels. Everyone knows not to touch those!! ( couldn't resist)

I will NEVER live that one down!

 

[mikeyandscoobyx2]

This sounds like something my brother used to do when i'd bring fast food home and try and eat it later.

I hope your problem gets worked out.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Put your frozen dinners into a soft-sided cooler or some kind of lunchbox that zips up and put the whole thing in the freezer. Write your name in bold letters on the outside. It's easy for someone to pick up a box that's sitting loose in the freezer but they might think twice about actually opening a container to steal one. You could also try putting them in a paper bag and stapling it shut. The more effort it takes to get to them, the less likely a thief will take them.

 

[ElizK]

Put your frozen dinners into a soft-sided cooler or some kind of lunchbox that zips up and put the whole thing in the freezer. Write your name in bold letters on the outside. It's easy for someone to pick up a box that's sitting loose in the freezer but they might think twice about actually opening a container to steal one. You could also try putting them in a paper bag and stapling it shut. The more effort it takes to get to them, the less likely a thief will take them.

or you could wrap the box in duct tape.

 

[bumbershoot]

What does management say?

Hubby was lucky in that his management saw it as actual theft, and acted in the same way they would have acted if someone had been roaming the cubicles, stealing money. Didn't hurt that at the time he had been diagnosed with diabetes and *had to* eat the food HE brought, and could not (at that time, he had to figure out how his system worked with diet/exercise and blood sugar) just go to the restaurants to buy something. So he had that major health issue backing him up when people kept stealing his food.

oh and his food was sometimes a frozen thing, but most of the time it was Yves brand fake-meat sandwiches! I mean...there aren't that many people out there who would steal that if they knew what it was, ya know???? But if they thought it was just bologna, who steals THAT? Cheap enough to buy on your own.

Anyway, his company saw it as theft, sent out a strongly worded email to that fact, and hooked up a webcam to the area of the fridge. Problem solved.

 

[englishteacha]

I second reporting it to the management, even if it's just a casual, "My lunch has gone missing a couple of times recently..." type of statement.

Also, could you take the dinner out of the box and put it (in the freezer tray) in Tupperware or a lunch box? (assuming that the whole box doesn't fit) Then it's out of sight of the lunch thief.

 

[torinsmom]

A lady at my work had the same problem. This is what I suggested to her, but she said she would feel guilty doing it.

Buy a frozen dinner and leave it out in the sun(or on a counter) for a week. Now, refreeze the meal and take it to work and put it in the freezer. I bet that thing would stink to high heaven once it is cooked. Even if it doesn't stink, it would probably make the person sick. Maybe that is cruel, but the person is a THIEF!

 

[okeydokey]

Can you find some kind of insulated lunch tote or lunch box with two zippers on the lid? Then you can use those plastic ties to secure it shut. The thief would need to cut off the ties in order to open the tote. You could even close the lid with a very small combination lock.

 

[cntrygal]

Does my brother work with you.......

 

[momof1princess]

i would put my lunch in an insulated tote with two zippers, as the pp suggested, and get a suitcase lock to secure the zippers together. if that failed, i would buy one of those food cage things from the previous thread, lol.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I say wrap them in decorative towels. Everyone knows not to touch those!! ( couldn't resist)

I would put them in something else. Maybe tape them in a plain box?!

 

[Ppufi]

Put it in a box labeled, "Soy patty with veggies".

 

[The Mystery Machine]

i would put my lunch in an insulated tote with two zippers, as the pp suggested, and get a suitcase lock to secure the zippers together. if that failed, i would buy one of those food cage things from the previous thread, lol.

I like that esp. the little lock on it. I guess someone needs to invent the "Lunch Club". You put "the club" around your lunchbox that is opened with a key or combo.

Or you can put an alarm in it that is activate when it is opened. (Although you might get in trouble for that one. But it would be fun to get the thief.)

 

[momof1princess]

I like that esp. the little lock on it. I guess someone needs to invent the "Lunch Club". You put "the club" around your lunchbox that is opened with a key or combo.

Or you can put an alarm in it that is activate when it is opened. (Although you might get in trouble for that one. But it would be fun to get the thief.)

hahaha! LOVE it! i used to own "the club"! it was the same color as my car, too. if the op goes the alarm route, she's GOT to set up a camera so we can see the thief's reaction