Tough to trace this evidence

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) - November 10, 2009

Police in several Connecticut towns report people with sticky fingers are stealing chewing gum.

Authorities figure that hot gum is being sold on the street.

It's a tough crime to trace, because the evidence is eventually chewed up and spit out.

In one of the largest recent cases, a 21-year-old man was charged with shoplifting about $800 worth of Orbit gum.

Don't be too surprised there's a market for stolen gum.

Fairfield police Sgt. James Perez says people "peddle stolen meat, fish, candy, gum, almost anything."

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