Beef bandits caught red-handed, say Mass. police

(CBS) WESTBOROUGH, Mass. - Police say they've caught a "meat-theft ring" red-handed...on surveillance video from a central Massachusetts Stop & Shop. They say 28-year-old Schuyler Gibson was caught stealing $450 worth of beef, and that he and three other men are charged with a series of crimes, including other Stop & Shop heists.

"They grabbed steaks, filets, roasts, pretty much anything in the case," Westborough Police Chief Alan Gordon told CBS Boston.  "They pretty much wiped out what was in the case and walked out of the store, just very brazen."

WestboroughPatch reported the meat theft captured on tape occurred April 14, 2012.

Investigators believe Brian Gernrich, who they say is always close by Gibson's side in the surveillance video, is the ringleader of the crime group and also served as their mentor.

"He's basically showing these people the ropes of what he's learned but not mastered over the years," said Gordon. "He's committed many crimes, stealing purses from women in choir practice, house breaks."

Police said the men were also assisted by 68-year-old David Flagg as the getaway car driver.

Police say the group has been linked to two home break-ins, and allegedly sold stolen jewelry and meat for cash, to support drug habits.