MONTEREY COUNTY — Over the past two weeks, multiple agricultural businesses in Monterey County have been targeted by a wave of burglaries, resulting in the theft of valuable equipment.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crimes Unit has been actively investigating these incidents, leading to the recovery of stolen property in two separate cases.
The first theft occurred on July 17, when a custom fertilizer trailer valued at $14,000 was stolen from the 1500 block of San Juan Road.
Acting on multiple leads, patrol deputies and Ag Crime detectives traced the trailer to a field on the 14000 block of Blackie Road. Detectives found the trailer, which had been partially concealed with spray paint. The stolen property was returned to its owners.
A week later, on July 24, a small utility trailer was stolen from an agricultural field near Molera Road and Highway 1.
Following a detailed search, detectives located the trailer near Highway 1 and Watsonville Road, returning it to its rightful owner.
“Our deputies and Ag Crime detectives are committed to working with our local ag companies to help reduce theft and resolve crimes related to the largest industry in Monterey County,” said Sheriff Tina Nieto on the ongoing efforts.
The investigations continue, and the Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about these or other agricultural thefts to contact Detective Jesus Reyes at 831-755-3805 or Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at 831-755-3773. Calls can remain anonymous.
