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2024 CA Hive Theft List

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.

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