Thieves are targeting farmers and ranchers in California, stealing expensive equipment, animals and even beehives as local authorities sound the alarm on the daring robbery.
‘Crime is not limited to cities’ Fresno County Sheriff’s Office he warned.
“It is a serious problem in rural areas. Farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses are experiencing theft of heavy equipment, aluminum pipes, household goods, cattle, and high-value pesticides.”
The department noted that stopping crime in rural areas poses “unique challenges”.
last week, The sheriff’s office revealed In late January, 96 beehives were stolen from a field near Interstate 5. No arrests were made as authorities sought the public’s help finding the multicolored beehive with the word “MEB” emblazoned on it.
Ann Instagram dedicated page Agricultural crimes in the Golden State highlight numerous thefts dating back more than a year, including a forklift loaded onto a gooseneck trailer and towed by a white pickup truck in Tulare County and a Caterpillar 415 backhoe stolen in Tulare County. There is. Madera County in December.
Over the summer, Merced County Sheriff’s investigators were able to recover approximately $1 million worth of stolen farm equipment. KFSN reported at the time.
A bill was passed last year to attack this troubling trend. SF Gate reported.
“For a farmer, losing a $100,000 tractor can be devastating.” Senate Bill 224, introduced by State Sen. Shannon Grove, states: “These losses can result in the time and expense of replacing, repairing, and salvaging equipment, and can result in a complete loss of crops. For small operations, this could be career-ending. there is.
“The theft of agricultural machinery not only affects farmers and farmers’ ability to earn a living, but also cripples the production of goods such as food, textile materials and water.”
According to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy pointed to approximately $1 million in farm equipment losses in 2018.
The Golden State faces a consistent problem of robberies looting retail stores, with Gov. Gavin Newsom witnessing brazen shoplifting.
