German police: Reported armed mob was group of asparagus pickers

LUDWIGSLUST, Germany, June 1 (UPI) -- German police responding to a report of an armed mob walking along a rural road found a group of people armed only with asparagus picking tools.

Police said a "concerned citizen" driving on a rural road near the city of Ludwigslust called authorities Saturday to report an armed gang walking along the road.

Four squad cars and two unmarked police vehicles responded to the scene and police spokeswoman Stephanie Naedler told NBC News the officers discovered "a group of 10 to 15 people armed with knives and sticks" and determined they were a group of asparagus pickers walking with their tools.

The knives on wooden poles are used to harvest white asparagus, which is a popular harvest item in Germany during May and June.

Naedler said the workers were walking to the next town over for their lunch break when they were spotted by the motorist.