WFAA-TV

DALLAS - At least one Dallas restaurant was sold beef that federal inspectors said may be contaminated with E. coli.

Inspectors have been looking for nearly 15,000 pounds of ground beef that was stolen, and they said is tainted.

The stolen trailer was found in South Dallas, however, the meat that was being carried inside was stolen.

Dallas officers have traveled door-to-door to dozens of restaurants in the area searching for the meat. During their search, officers discovered that the Chicken Shack did buy some of the meat. The Chicken Shack owner said they bought only one box of the meat for $20.

"[Officers] told me that all of it was bad," said Adrian Garcia, the restaurant manager.

The manager said none of the beef was used or cooked, and was still in the box when it was taken by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The thief also tried to sell the beef to five other restaurants in the area.

The USDA said they are working with local authorities in an attempt to catch the suspect.

E-mail rlopez@wfaa.com