Metro

AG on case as reports of gouging pour in

ALBANY — More than 500 possible cases of price gouging of gasoline and other essentials, including a $10 box of matches and a $7 loaf of bread, have been reported in New York before and after Superstorm Sandy.

Reports are being investigated by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. More than 300 reports were made over the weekend and yesterday, and that total is rising.

Schneiderman said yesterday that he’s investigating an increasing number of reports of spikes in prices for essential goods including gasoline, food, bottled water, generators, batteries and flashlights.

In one report, the cost of a bag of potatoes jumped to $7, up from $3 before the storm hit.

New Yorkers can report price gouging by phone at (800) 771-7755 or on Schneiderman’s office Web site, http://www.ag.ny.gov.