The Fort Oglethorpe Police Department recently investigated an odd shoplifting attempt, in which a man allegedly attempted to steal a pallet full of steaks from the Bi-Lo on Battlefield Parkway.

Officers were dispatched to the grocery at 1873 Ga. 2 (Battlefield Parkway) about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, in reference to the call that a man had fled the store after the unsuccessful theft attempt.

"I spoke to an employee who advised that a black male had entered the store and began walking around," officer Michael Cannon said.

The employee claims that the man then diverted the attention of a stock boy by asking him to go assist his wife with something, at which time he began gathering numerous steaks, reports show.

It is uncertain whether the man's wife was actually in the store, or if that was just something he said as a distraction.

"The employee stated that the man entered the back room of the store, entered the meat department, and then stacked several cases of steaks onto a rolling pallet," Cannon said. "I was advised that he then rolled the pallet to the back door."

After not being able get the back door open, the man abandoned the pallet and quickly left the store, reports show.

"She (the employee) stated that the male subject was talking on his phone as he was leaving the front of the store," Cannon said. "As he entered a vehicle, the employee was able to obtain the tag number from the van."

The suspect left the scene in a Gray 2002 Chevrolet Astro with tag number Ga BET2650.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect or the vehicle is encouraged to contact the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department at 706-866-2512.