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| FRESNO COUNTY AG TASK FORCE BULLETIN |
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| Distributed by Fresno County Sheriff Ag Task Force | |
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Report a Crime: (559) 488-3111 Crime Prevention: (559) 898-0667 |
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| JUNE 2007 | |
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Inside the courtroom, the past few months have
been incredibly productive for the prosecution component of the Ag Task
force. As a result of solid criminal investigations by the detectives in the
field, led by Sergeant Mark Bray, several criminal defendants have been
successfully prosecuted. In February, Leslie Springs was sentenced to eight years in prison for his involvement in a wire theft last summer. Springs had a lengthy criminal history which allowed the DA’s office to argue for extensive punishment and the court obliged by sending him off to prison for many years. As another example, Defendant Brian Howe, an individual attempting to scrap stolen goods at a local metal yard, was sentenced to 16 months in state prison. This was yet another case that the Ag Task force had investigated in a targeted effort to reduce the agriculturally related metal thefts that have become epidemic. Similarly, Michael Smith was sent to prison for 16 months as he too was rounded up by the Ag Task Force during Operation Heavy Metal II. More recently, an individual accused of accepting stolen brass memorial vases as scrap, pled guilty to multiple felony charges. He was an employee at International Recycling when he accepted these vases and the Ag Task Force was able to break the case through good investigative work. He is scheduled for sentencing next month and it is anticipated he will be sent to state prison for up to two years. Outstanding Stolen Equipment: • 20 Pallets of 80 beehives • Briggs&Stratton gas generator 110 & 220 outlets • 1996 Honda ATV tan/blk 4-wheeler vin#478TE1405TA811086 • Oxygen & Acetylene tanks 4’x10” • Antique cash register • 1998 John Deere tractor #8200 w/Big Ed disc, dual rear tires serial#H020115 • Aluminum ladders, 37x12’, 3x8’ B&B Riverbend stamped on sides • Several hundred Rainbird brass rotating overhead sprinkler heads *Please note the resale probability of items • Single axle trailer with 2 dark green porta-potties w/dual wash sinks, 55 gal tank • 1000 Gals. UN32 fertilizer Metal theft is continually on the rise, but the chemical theft and tractor thefts have began at an alarming rate. Please mark chemicals, open containers to make them less desirable, and keep an active inventory. Have recent photos of equipment and MARK everything. A nationally recognized owner applied number can be obtained at action@agcrime.net Please contact for details of OAN-Owner Applied Number Program. |
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| MARCH 2007 | |
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Scrap yard statistics of copper cashing in for
nearly $3/pound locally and up to $6/pound statewide, and other increased
pricing on metals, have brought in the expected stripped wire and the
unexpected metal urns from local cemeteries. Outstanding Stolen Equipment: 1999 Blk utility trailer, loaded with 20 wheelbarrows & scales. Date of loss: 1/26/07 Yamaha golf cart, OAN # CAD109283 1996 Honda ATV tan/blk 4-wheeler Oxygen and Acetylene tanks 4’ x 10’ Antique gas pump, green with glass fuel bowl on top Coleman/Winco generator, 8’ x 4’ 50 gal fuel tank, serial # 12931549 Chicago air compressor, green 30 gal tank, 15 hp Honda engine, electric start 185 psi Aluminum ladders, 37 x 12’, 3 x 8’ B&B Riverbend stamped on sides Friesian horse, 4 yr old black show quality, long main, microchipped (to Holland address-country) Gramoxene 3 cases (15 gallons) Honcho Roundup 20 gallons 114 beehives, lt blue/yellow white older looking Attention Beekeepers: Two recent bee hive thefts commence the season and result in $20,000 of losses. Please remember to avoid placing bee hives along roadside, instead, pace amidst/between orchards. Have hive boxes visibly marked with ownership. Do not be surprised if contacted to confirm ownership/rental authorization by law enforcement. Crime Prevention Basics: - Call in suspicious activity: vehicles with removed or covered license plates, repeated vehicle, bicycle, foot traffic and small fires. All are indications of potential casing or theft. - Always report thefts and attempted thefts/vandalism so authorities are aware of problem areas and can take preventative measures. - Avoid feeding your livestock next to county or public road. Livestock can become accustomed to this and may approach any vehicle. |
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| NOVEMBER 2006 | |
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Update from Deputy District Attorney: November 3, 2006, Darren Lung was convicted and sentenced on four felony grand theft charges. Ling’s case involved him developing a scheme which allowed him to illegally accumulate cattle intended to be delivered to others. He used false “bills of sale” and duped others into signing documents that suggested they were selling the cattle to Lung that they were actually supposed to be purchasing. For his wrongdoing, Lung, a man without any prior criminal history, was placed on 3 years felony probation, given 252 days in jail, with work furlough, and is now prohibited from trading in the livestock industry.
Crime Update: Theft of copper wire and other agricultural metals is rampant. It is a nationwide epidemic and an international problem. With the increased darkness and reduced usage of irrigation pumps, you should continue to check your pumps regularly, as this time of year is when evidence is most likely to be found. (Damp soil is a magnet for shoe tracks).
Outstanding Equipment: 2000 Club Car Golf Cart D7, Ser # A0036931318 Homemade trailer gray/tan, double axle with single tires, fuel tank attached Red Honda quad Lic#Z36L44 Big Tex utility trailer, 5HP motor John Deere w/skip loader, green/yellow 2001 EZ Go golf cart. Ser # 1428259 1998 Korvan Grape Harvester, blue 1994 Broworth Gondola Agh, beige 2000 Chevrolet, extended cab truck, LIC# 6K81605
Crime Prevention Basics: 1. Is your equipment marked? Call or email for a nationally identifiable number 2. Keep track of license/serial numbers 3. Take pictures of equipment 4. Bring major equipment in from fields and lock in barn or shed 5. If equipment must be left in field overnight, park where it is visible from your home or a neighbor’s home 6. Keep equipment away from roadways where it is most vulnerable 7. If motorized equipment must be left outside or idle for long periods, remove the rotor, distributor dap or battery to prevent theft 8. Know what you have, keep storage areas organized to track equipment and discourage theft. 9. Install audible alarms on outbuildings 10. Use case-hardened chains and padlocks when securing small equipment to stationary objects if building not available. |
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| SEPTEMBER 2006 | |
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A sampling of court activity in Fresno
County: August 15th, Michael
Carr sentenced to 16 months in prison; he was caught attempting to recycle 7
spools of stolen PG&E wire, valued at $540 each |
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| JULY 2006 | |
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It's been an incredibly busy time for
copper wiring, irrigation valves and chemical thefts. A few tips to
protect your chemicals: 1 Order only what you need with minimal delivery time/day of use if possible 2 Break seals; there is a market just for “unused” chemicals 3 Mark containers; recovered chemicals need an owner 4 Track batch numbers to assist in recovery 5 Mark your property with OAN. Contact us to sign up for the free service Outstanding equipment: |
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| MAY 2006 | |
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Summary: Top theft items are still
copper wiring and chemicals Metal theft: Among local scrap/metal yards: $3.25/lb for bright and shiny copper $1.90/lb for brass $.85/lb for scrap aluminum The Ag Task Force Office has been working in partnership with local scrap/metal yards…bringing awareness and information about the safeguards in place that help keep the lure of easy money to the harsh reality of handling stolen property. Sample from the courts: - Felony charges were filed against a man who sold 200 lbs of stolen brass valves to a scrap yard. The case is set for a preliminary hearing - A woman pled guilty to a felony for being in possession of a stolen tractor from a Fowler Ranch. - A man made restitution towards the amount he owes for damages caused to a farmer in the Easton area. The damage occurred when his pick-up got stuck in the farmer’s field in the middle of the night. He received 180 days in jail and was ordered to make full restitution Outstanding equipment: 2002 Kawasaki mule red 1994 Red Quad ATV Thunderbolt 5- 20lb bags Omite 5-20lb bags Acromite 5- 20lb bags Kelligreen 55 Single gallon containers Agrimek 74 Single gallon Intrepid Lincoln welder w/gas tank 2005 Red Honda ATV 25 Silver beehives with stamp on side 16-10 |
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| MARCH 2006 | |
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Summary: February was whirlwind month of Search warrants for in-house detectives based on leads and evidence. It has been theft-heavy with emphasis on field and ranch equipment, copper wire, irrigation valves and chemicals. Keep chemical theft in mind by purchasing only what you need. Chemical containers, even if partially empty, is a visually expensive lure for theft. A sampling from the courts... A woman pled guilty to a felony for being in possession of a stolen tractor from a Fowler Ranch. The tractor was found at her home. Felony charges were filed against a man who sold 200 pounds of stolen brass valves to a scrap yard. The case is currently set for a preliminary hearing. Metal theft becoming more of an occurrence. Many farmers/ranchers are not aware of these thefts until its time to water or use a pump. It is very important to try to mark your valves, T-valves or anything that may be a target of metal thieves. Also, be aware of any vehicle on your property that does not belong there. If at all possible, please get a license plate number and call the Sheriff’s Department. Many farmers in the Laton/Fowler/Caruthers/Kingsburg areas have had thefts where irrigation pumps have been targeted for copper wire. Thefts of copper wire from irrigation pumps along the California Aqueduct have increased as well OAN works! On 2/24/06 a $120,000 John Deere tractor was reported stolen in Fresno County. With help from the ACTION Project, this tractor was recovered within 24 hours. The tractor contained an Owner Applied Number and was turned over to the owner. Outstanding stolen equipment: 1000’ Cat 5 telephone wire 35 rolls Romex telephone wire Irrigation pipe 20’ x 4” 900 gallons of diesel fuel 288 multi-color beehive boxes- blue, white and red stripe 2000 Kawasaki Gator John Deere tractor radiator screens for model 2030,2640 Calf Thefts: Riverdale and Laton areas have seen a rash of calf thefts from dairies. Brand and tattoo calves as soon as possible! Ear tags are great but they are easy to remove. |
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| JANUARY 2006 | |
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Metal theft is beginning to become more
of an occurrence. With copper theft nearing $2 a pound at the local scrap
yards, irrigation valves have been a popular target in addition to copper
wire. It is very important to try to mark your valves, T-valves or
anything that may be a target of metal theives. One farmer distinctively
painted his valves, which led to the recovery of the valves and the arrest
of the suspect. Painting the valves in addition to possibly etching an
owner-applied-number would substantially increase the probability of
arrests. Be aware of any vehicle on your property that does not belong
there.
Calf theft has been busier. Instruct employees to take the time to lock gates and doors where calves are kept. Tag calvs early. Fuel theft patterns warn it is time to take extra precautionary measures for fuel tanks: 1) Enclose fuel tank in fenced area, chain link or barbed or razor wire top recommended 2) Electric supply is locked off when not in use and valves are locked and closed 3) Close caps and/or weld in place. Lock nozzles in place 4) Keep fuel inventory records and cross check with fuel delivery receipts 5) If more than one fuel tank on property, number each fuel tank 6) Remove ladders or objects that will allow someone to access the top of fuel tank 7) Install or modify fuel filler valve in a way that fuel is delivered and filled into the top of the tank (thus not allowing suspects to drain fuel out) Outstanding Stolen Equipment: please call our office if you know anything about these missing items |
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| 40 Irrigation Pipes, T-shaped | |
| Honda ATV 2004 Green, Lic # 1QUD934 | |
| Fresno Brand 3" Brass Irrigation Valves | |
| 2 15' ladder trailers, Lic # SE316908 and Lic # SE46802 | |
| Massey Ferguson tractor, red, #40 painted on rear | |
| 100+ cast iron 8" irrigation valves w/brass bolts | |
| 40 pallets beehives, boxes stamped with #3577 | |
| 2000 Ford F550, white, Lic # 6M70201 | |
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