Stolen property from agricultural fields recovered

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crimes Unit has recovered stolen property after multiple agricultural businesses were hit with burglaries and stolen equipment over the last two weeks.

On July 17, a custom fertilizer trailer was reported stolen from the 1500-block of San Juan Road in Monterey County. Patrol deputies and ag crime detectives investigated multiple leads and were directed to a field in the 14,000-block of Blackie Road. While searching, they located and recovered the trailer. Police said the suspects were believed to have tried to conceal the trailer with spray paint. The owners were contacted and the property was returned to them.

On July 24, a small utility trailer was stolen from an agricultural field near Molera Road near Highway 1. After a search, police found the trailer near Highway 1 and Watsonville Road, and returned the trailer to its 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 in a press statement.

The investigations remain ongoing and anyone with information related to these crimes or other agricultural theft are encouraged to contact Detective Jesus Reyes at (831) 755-3805 or Detective-Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 755-3773. You can remain anonymous when providing information.