A message from Detective Ray Dominguez:

Greetings Farm Watch readers, recent activity indicates that avocado thefts are on the rise and thefts have been reported in the Somis, Fillmore, and Piru areas. The majority of the reported thefts are small in quantity, but can add up quickly if not reported in a timely manner and fruit is left on the trees for an extended period of time. If you discover a theft has occurred, please contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 654-9511 or 911 in an emergency, and keep people out of the area to avoid contaminating the crime scene.

Another emerging trend is the theft of “trap wagons” or portable refueling trailers. Two trailers of this type have been reported stolen within the last couple of weeks from the unincorporated areas of Camarillo/Oxnard. No suspect(s) have been identified in either case, but Detective Robert Arthur of the Camarillo Station is working on it and would be pleased to hear from you with any information you can provide. One of the trailers stolen is similar to the one depicted in the attachment below. Based on information provided by Detective Arthur, it appears the same suspect(s) are responsible for stealing both trailers, and it is likely the trailers were taken because of the red dye diesel the storage tanks contained.

I’m also pleased to announce that Senior Deputy Steve Buckley of the Sheriff’s Santa Clara Valley Station is working closely with Rosie Castillo of the Limoneira Company on forming a neighborhood watch program. They are in the early stages of developing the program, but are extending an invitation to neighboring farms, ranches, homes, and other businesses in the area of 1141 Cummings Road in Santa Paula. If you’re interested in joining the program, please contact Rosie at (805) 525-5541 Ext. 238 or by email at rcastillo@limoneira.com.

Last but not least, kudos to Deputy Nora Sanchez of the Camarillo Station forlocating and arresting a cucumber thief this past week. As it turned out, the crook found himself in a bit of a "pickle" when confronted by Deputy Sanchez as she got the crook to confess to multiple thefts from the farm! Great job Nora!

The following advice is always wise if you suspect illegal activity on your property:

· Call the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 911.

· Be a good witness

· Note suspect descriptions such as age, height, weight, facial hair, clothing, and shoe type.

· If a vehicle is involved, obtain a license plate number and note vehicle color, body damage, bumper stickers, camper shell, after market tires and wheels, etc.

· Provide the dispatcher with information about the time and last known direction of travel.

If you are not sure of how to address a problem or would like additional crime prevention tips please contact your local Sheriff’s Office substation or me directly at (805) 384-4726 or by email at ray.dominguez@ventura.org.

Contacts:

Camarillo Detective Robert Arthur, robert.arthur@ventura.org

Fillmore Detective John Fox john.fox@ventura.org

Ventura Detective Dennis Smith dennis.smith@ventura.org

Agricultural Crimes Detective, Ray Dominguez ray.dominguez@ventura.org

As always, I would like to thank Sheriff’s Crime Analyst Karen Brown for this issue’s great crime and alert update.

Be alert and stay safe!

Ray

Geoff Dean - Sheriff

John Crombach and Gary Pentis - Assistant Sheriffs