Police look for man, truck in chicken ransom case

Police said a man who allegedly held a load of frozen chickens for ransom also stole the truck that was hauling it.

Nampa police said Thursday that Christopher L. Hall, 42, of Nampa, picked up the load Aug. 20 in Springdale, Ark., and was scheduled for delivery Aug. 21 in Kent, Wash. It was listed as stolen Sept. 9.

The Missoulian reports that the trailer, dripping the juices of rotting chicken, was discovered at the Flying J Truck Stop west of Missoula on Tuesday. The truck stop manager said it had been there since at least Saturday.

The load had been abandoned after the owner of the trailer, Dixie River Freight Inc. of Nampa, reportedly refused a ransom demand for an undisclosed amount from Hall.

The company said the 37,000-pound load was worth $80,000 and the truck, a blue 2013 Volvo tractor-trailer, is worth $160,000.

Hall is white, 6’1″, weighs 240 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes. Nampa police said Hall has an extensive criminal history and is wanted on a federal parole violation.

If you know the whereabouts of Hall or the truck, contact Detective J. Kimball at kimballj@cityofnampa.us or (208) 468-5564.