2024 CA Hive Theft List
02/08/24
View 2024 CA Hive Theft List Here
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Stolen Hives Located – Help Needed
Information Provided by Deputy Freeman
Alexiz Martinez Becerra is the person identified and responsible for numerous hive thefts that have been occurring over the past few years in and around the Fresno and Madera County areas. He was found in possession of stolen hives last night. Bacerra isn’t working alone and the identification of at least one other individual is being sought. A large amount of equipment was also located containing brands and markings confirmed from numerous thefts occurring over the last few years. Bacerra is transferring the stolen bees into equipment that he has altered by grinding out the owners brands and then painting over. Bacerra is then stenciling his business names on the boxes.
It is believed Bacerra is placing these hives into almond orchards around the area (possibly near Atwater) for pollination. It is unknown exactly where at this time, and if he is working with a broker or not. Be on the look out for hives marked with The Buzzing Bee Co. Madera CA, and Rivera R Apiary Madera CA. These are the markings he’s placing on the stolen hives to claim as his own. Please contact detective Johnson at the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 517-0504 with information on the whereabouts of Bacerra or any hives and equipment related to him.
Update: The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has located stolen hives and equipment from approximately 6 separate hive thefts so far. Evidence has been located which indicates the suspect(s) have been altering the stolen boxes before painting over them, and then applying their own business names with stencils. Law Enforcement needs the assistance of beekeepers and property owners in locating these stolen beehives believed to be currently in almond orchards for pollination. Please look out for this equipment and immediately report it to detective Johnson at the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
Roman Martynov – Caruthers – March 18/19th
Stolen: 40 hives
Location: Caruthers
When: March 18th or 19th, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Steve Godlin – Firebaugh – March 20th
Stolen: 72 hives
Location: Firebaugh
When: March 20, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Michael Feist – Riverdale – March 17th
Stolen: 72 hives
Location: Riverdale/Fresno County
When: March 17, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Derek Lawrence – Fresno – March 4
Stolen: 96 hives
Location: SW Corner of Ave 7 and Rd 23 NW in Fresno
When: March 4, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Mark Brady – Selma, Fresno – February 27
Stolen: Two incidents, 72 singles and 144 singles
Location: Fresno County
When: February 27, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Vitality Yatchuk – Kettleman City – February 27
Stolen: 48 hives
Location: Kettleman City
When: February 27, 2024
Contact: Kings County Sheriff’s Department, 206-296-3311
Troy Franks – Fresno – February 26
Stolen: 130 hives, VOLK or backwards FR brand
Location: Fresno County
When: February 26, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Tim Hollman – Mendota – February 9th
Stolen: 96 hives
Location: Mendota on Douglas and Adams, Fresno County,
When: February 9th, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Ken Fletcher – Selma – February 8th
Stolen: 72 hives, Stroope brands and painted names
Location: Selma, Fresno County
When: February 8th, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Cord Anderson – Kerman/Fresno – February 8th
Stolen: 108 hives, 10 frame double deeps on 6 way pallets, multi colored branded with NOHR.
Location: Kerman/Fresno
When: February 8, 2024
Contact: Cord Anderson, 406-390-2384
Andrew Beld – Firebaugh – January 31st
Stolen: 96 hives. Suspect vehicle description is a 2013-2017 Chevy 3500 4 door flatbed, with a red and yellow sticker, and a yellow Hummerbee forklift.
Location: Firebaugh, Fresno County, near Manning and Interstate 5
When: January 31, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Andy Strehlow – Firebaugh – January 31st
Stolen: 96 hives branded with “Strehlow”, double deep hives on four way pallets. Strehlow is offering at $100,000 reward for return of hives.
Location: Firebaugh, Fresno County, near Manning and Interstate 5
When: January 31, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
David Powell – Glenn County – January 31st
Stolen: 20 hives from CR 20 and 45 in Glenn County. Appears to have been a single axle pickup with large tires and different tread between the front and rears. Removed by hand.
Location: Glenn County, CR 20 and 45
When: January 31, 2024
Contact: Glenn County Sheriff’s Department, 530-934-6441
Victor Lazo – Chowchilla, Madera County – January 28th
Stolen: 168 hives stolen out of an orchard in the Chowchilla area. 10 frame double hives, white, with HHI branded on them.
Location: Chowchilla, Madera County
When: January 28, 2024
Contact: Victor Lazo, 979-215-0235
Scott Ammend – Coalinga – January 21st
Stolen: 120 hives and a 2021 black Hummerbee and a 2017 yellow Humberbee with a 22 foot Big Tex trailer
Location: Coalinga, Fresno County
When: January 21, 2024
Contact: Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, 559-600-3111
Buzz Landon – Richvale – January 23-29
Stolen: 16 hives stolen by hand
Location: Richvale, Butte County
When: January 23-29, 2024
Contact: Butte County Sheriff’s Department, 530-538-7321
Mark Sperry – Caolinga, Fresno County – January 11th
Stolen: 120 hives. Sperry/Sperry Honey and Kunert branded on some of the boxes. 10 frame, 4 way pallets with white boxes. Some of the handhelds are painted blue.
Location: Coalinga, Fresno County
When: January 11th, 2024
Contact: Mark Sperry, 701-261-6332