The Sporkful Cold Case: Office Fridge Food Theft Edition (Reheat)
Jan 2, 2026
In this entertaining recount, Heather Coleman, an office worker from Elkhart, Indiana, shares her captivating story of persistent food theft from her workplace fridge. She details her frantic attempts to protect her lunches, including duct-taping containers and playing detective to profile the mysterious thief. The investigation takes a twist with a bizarre burrito clue and a dramatic confrontation in a bathroom stall. Heather’s relatable frustration and clever strategies make this story a humorous yet gripping exploration of office life.
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Meals Are Hard To Account For
- Dan Pashman notes it's surprisingly hard to accurately recall what you ate on any given day.
- That uncertainty makes investigating minor food thefts tricky because memory and meal accounting are unreliable.
Partial Sandwich Theft Torments Heather
- Heather Coleman repeatedly found partial meals missing from the office fridge, starting with a Schlotzky's slice and escalating to a six-inch sub reduced to four inches.
- She tried notes, hiding food, and duct-taping containers, but the thief kept taking only portions, leaving her feeling violated and humiliated.
Try Multiple Deterrents For Fridge Theft
- When workplace food theft occurs, document actions and try deterrents like notes, concealment, and sealing containers.
- Heather's attempts failed, showing deterrents may not stop a methodical thief and escalation to other strategies is necessary.