Sandwich man who ran ‘snack shack’ facing new charges of stealing from Plymouth schools

Crime

Patrick Van Cott is accused of stealing two refrigerators, a freezer, two hot plates, a griddle, a chargrill, a deep fryer, shelving, a sandwich prep table, a convection oven, and hanging chalk boards, among other supplies.

A man who allegedly stole thousands of dollars’ worth of food and equipment from Massachusetts public schools to fuel his “Snack Shack” is now facing federal fraud and theft charges, prosecutors said.

Patrick Van Cott, 64, was charged Wednesday with one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of wire fraud, the office of U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Attorney Leah Foley said in a press release.

Van Cott is also being prosecuted in Plymouth District Court in connection to the alleged theft. He faces charges of felony and misdemeanor larceny of more than $1,200, and larceny from a building, Foley’s office said.

Van Cott was employed as the director of Plymouth Public Schools’ Food Services program from 2003 to June 2025, federal prosecutors said.

In 2014, he opened a “seasonal business,” called the Snack Shack, located on Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, Foley’s office said.

After opening the store, Van Cott allegedly stole thousands of dollars’ in food and kitchen equipment to fund his business. All of the items were paid for by U.S. Department of Agriculture funds or by the public schools, federal prosecutors said.

The Sandwich resident is accused of stealing two refrigerators, a two-door freezer, two 12-inch hot plates, a 24-inch griddle, a chargrill, a deep fryer, shelving, a sandwich prep table, a convection oven, and hanging chalk boards, Foley’s office said.

Van Cott allegedly stole condiments, diced chicken, hot dogs, cooking oils, snacks, paper goods, coffee, and $3,000 of “premium burger patties,” which he sold as part of menu items at the Snack Shack, Foley’s office said.

Van Cott also allegedly ordered public school cafeteria workers to slice “at least nine pounds of deli turkey and 4.5 pounds of deli ham,” federal prosecutors said.

The deli meats were also sold at the Snack Shack, federal prosecutors said.

If convicted, Van Cott faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine $250,000 for the theft charge and up to 20 years in prison, fines up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release for the fraud charges, federal prosecutors said.

Attorneys for Van Cott did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.

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