The Morning Call
4:31 PM EDT, August 30, 2007




A head of broccoli cost one man $500 and another his freedom in Lansdale this week after one of them was cheated out of marijuana and called police.


Christopher Kratz, 20, of Douglassville, was arrested Monday after selling Matthew Deitrich, 21, of Carrie Lane, Harleysville, broccoli he was trying to pass off as marijuana, police said.


Deitrich is also facing charges for fabricating a story about how he lost the $500 during a 911 call that prompted an investigation, police said.


"It is bizarre, isn't it," Lansdale Sgt. Robert McDyre said. "You'd think he'd just say, 'I can't believe I'm that stupid' and leave."


The broccoli blowup happened Monday night when Deitrich was looking to score a pound of marijuana from Kratz, Lansdale police said.


-- reporting by Brian Callaway and Patrick Lester, The Morning Call
carrotfire Reviewed by carrotfire on . Douglassville man charged in broccoli/pot scam The Morning Call 4:31 PM EDT, August 30, 2007 A head of broccoli cost one man $500 and another his freedom in Lansdale this week after one of them was cheated out of marijuana and called police. Christopher Kratz, 20, of Douglassville, was arrested Monday after selling Matthew Deitrich, 21, of Carrie Lane, Harleysville, broccoli he was trying to pass off as marijuana, police said. Rating: 5