Press Release: Ag Crime Detectives Recover Stolen Equipment

DATE/TIME: 08/07/24 at 1:00 PM

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crime Unit Recovers Stolen Equipment

LOCATION: 14000 Block of Blackie Road, Prunedale.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov

Multiple Monterey County Agricultural Businesses were hit with a rash of burglaries and stolen equipment over the last two weeks. An ongoing investigation by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crimes Unit has resulted in the recovery of stolen property in two of these cases.

On July 17th, a custom fertilizer trailer was reported stolen from the 1500 block of San Juan Road in Monterey County. Patrol deputies and Ag Crime detectives began investigating multiple leads and we're directed to a field in the 14,000 block of Blackie Rd. While searching this area detectives were able to locate and recover the custom $14,000 fertilizer trailer. The suspects are believed to have attempted to conceal the name of the trailer with spray paint. The owners were contacted, and the stolen property was returned to them.

On July 24th, a small utility trailer was stolen from an agricultural field in the area of Molera Road near Highway 1. Following an extensive search, detectives were able to locate the trailer in the area of Highway 1 and Watsonville Road. The trailer was returned it to the owner.

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stated, “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.”

These investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information related to these or any agricultural theft crimes is encouraged to call Detective Jesus Reyes at 831-755-3805 or Detective-Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy at 831-755-3773. You can remain anonymous when providing information to our detectives.