Valuable Grape Vines Stolen from U of M

 Someone might be trying to cheat their way to creating, and profiting off of a new kind of wine.

Thieves stole grape vines from the University of Minnesota's Horticulture Research Center in Victoria.

Peter Moe, with the research center, said whoever took the grape vines knew what they wanted.

"Someone came in here at night and stole samples twigs or one year old wood and removed it from the vineyard," said Moe.

The vines that were stolen are being developed to create a new grape that will be used to produce a new kind of wine. The university has been researching the grape for two years and could patent it.

Moe said, "Basically they are stealing intellectual property from the University of Minnesota."

The vines can easily be replanted, which could threaten the revenue stream the university would see if it holds a patent on a successful grape.

Moe said, "People who start a new winery or vineyard, they pay royalties and do it the right way and benefit from this research. But to short cut that and steal the material is completely wrong."

Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson says investigators are looking at the crime as a possible inside job.

Olson said, "We will certainly look at the past employees, current employees. We'll be asking a lot them what did they know what did they see when did they see it."

The university is beefing up security and police are adding extra patrols.

If you have any information on the crime call the Carver County Sheriff's Office.