The optimism and promise of a new production year was quickly shattered by reports that the tree nut industry has again experienced thefts of finished product.

As the Western Agricultural Processors Association reported in its Tree Nut Times newsletter, “Two loads of finished product, one of almonds, one of pistachios, were believed stolen using what the California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force calls ‘fictitious pickup’ of outbound loads as these nuts were destined for shipment to locations in the central U.S.”

“This is a sophisticated crime,” wrote WAPA President Roger Isom.  “The last time something like this hit, more than 40 loads of tree nuts valued at several million dollars were stolen.”

In those instances, loads of almonds, pistachios, and walnuts fell victim to cargo theft.  Thieves view the illicit pickups using forged trucking company identity documents as low-risk/high-return.

The Los Angeles Times reported one San Joaquin Valley pistachio company got duped into the loss of 42,000 pounds of pistachios worth $170,000.  In this case, the good guys prevailed as a suspect was arrested as the pistachios (found in Delano in a cargo container with 21 tons of nuts) were being repackaged from one ton sacks into smaller packaging.

The Times story quoted a Tulare County district attorney as saying, “Stealing nuts is a really common crime in the region,” with an additional supportive quote by Richard Matoian, president of the Fresno-based American Pistachio Growers: “Higher price points make the opportunity of theft more attractive” and pistachios are a big-ticket item in local agricultural theft.

Protection efforts

APG and WAPA have previously partnered in protection efforts with the result being recommendations for handlers and haulers and WAPA’s Isom is again urging adoption and implementation of the procedures.

Agreeing to act as a notification point for any theft or suspicious activities [(559) 455 9272], the association suggests:

--Make pick-up appointments 24 hours in advance and require a pick-up number, the driver’s name and license number, and the trucking company name. 
--Paperwork should be verified upon driver arrival and a photograph of the driver, truck and trailer should be taken with emphasis on the license plate and vehicle identification number.

--When possible, additional security measures can include installation of high-definition surveillance cameras and the utilization of GPS tracking devices.

Not only are thieves looking to steal something from last year, they’re also looking at this year’s opportunities and there have been several according to law enforcement.

Bees stolen

With orchard pollination in full swing, growers and beekeepers are reporting thefts of hives.  One hundred forty-four hives were taken from a farm north of Bakersfield.  Three hundred eight four were stolen in Hopland — with a $10,000 reward offered for information leading to their recovery.  One hundred sixty hives were lifted from their pallets in Madera County and a string of thefts have been reported in Yolo County where thieves not only stole 280 hives, but also took a forklift to haul their loot.

An update on hive theft can be found on the website of California State Beekeepers Association (CSBA) in Sacramento.

Orchard managers are also advised to keep copper wire supplies under tight control as law enforcement officials are reporting that with copper hitting $5 per pound as salvage, wire theft instances are also on the rise.  "Anything not anchored down is subject to theft," said Deputy Rowdy Freeman.