A 63-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stealing more than 48,000 pounds of cheese worth nearly $400,000.

On October 25, Sky News reported that more than 22 metric tons of luxury cheddar cheese were stolen from a business in London. The business, Neals Yard Dairy, was allegedly duped by a fraudulent buyer posing as a wholesale distributor for a major retailer.

The three cheeses stolen were Hafod Welsh Organic Cheddar, Westcombe Cheddar and Pitchfork Cheddar, which the company says has won several awards and is among the most sought-after cheeses in the UK.

Just days after the investigation into the theft began, the police arrested a 63-year-old man under suspicion of fraud and handling stolen goods.

Neals Yard Dairy shared the news on their Instagram page and posted an update on Wednesday, October 30.

“On October 30, I learned that the Metropolitan Police made an arrest in connection with the theft. We are grateful for the progress they have made and will continue to support their investigation in any way we can,” the statement said.

The owner of the farm where Hafod Cheddar is made has also spoken out about the theft, saying he believes the theft was done lightly.

“It might sound naive to be the victim of a scam, but the truth is that the world of artisanal cheese is a place where trust is deeply embedded in all transactions,” said Patrick Holden.

“This fraudulent customer’s breach of trust is a violation of the atmosphere of good faith and respect that all of Neal’s Yard Dairy’s business dealings have embodied over the years. It’s a world where one’s word is one’s bond.”

While this unfortunate situation wasn’t petty theft, it’s far from the biggest food-related theft to occur in 2024. In August, a school cafeteria worker was sentenced to nine years in prison after stole $1.3 million worth of chicken wings from her employer.