Could theft explain expensive Intel chips?

A story in local newspaper The Arizona Republic has revealed that local cops have nabbed a thief who has robbed over $1 million worth of chips from Intel fabs, worldwide. According to the newspaper, suspect Christopher Michael Lovato, used to work for Intel but was able to use his old badge to shimmy into fabs and pocket shiny new Pentiums. The newspaper quoted a local cop as alleging Lovato had hit Intel Chandler four times since December. He is alleged to have nicked stuff from New Mexico (Albuquerque), Oregon State and Washington State too. He had an Intel Ireland badge, and the thought police allowed Lovato in, even after looking at his badge. He then flogged the chips using online auction house ebay, the paper claims. Lovato has admitted the theft, the local rozzers say. Heads are likely to roll at Intel Albuquerque, wethinks, although questions must be asked at Intel Ireland too. Of course, if the chips were (are?) Pentium IIIs, they could be easily identified... ®