Thefts leave Texas police with more Whataburger order tents than Whataburger

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Texas police said a "game" where teens steal tiny plastic order number tents from Whataburger has left the police with more of the objects than the restaurant.

The Northeast Police Department, based in Krugerville, said the small plastic tents that display order numbers at the restaurant have become frequent targets for teen thefts, and a recent traffic stop yielded the seizure of 19 stolen order numbers -- more than the restaurant has remaining after recent thefts.

The department posted pictures to Facebook comparing the size of the seized haul and what was left at Whataburger.

The department said officers responding to an unrelated call about two weeks ago discovered 70 of the stolen order numbers.

"We have learned that it has become a game for area teens to be removing the plastic 'order numbers' from the restaurant when in attendance. Removing these items without consent is a theft, which could result in a citation being issued for Theft of Property under $100.00," the Facebook post said.

Northeast Police Chief James Edland said Whataburger has been struggling to keep up with the thefts.

"Whataburger is ordering a new bundle [of the numbers] every week because they disappear so fast," Edland told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "It might be a cool thing to do, but it's still stealing."