$10,000 reward offered for convictions in bee theft cases
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down thieves who have stolen more than $100,000 in bee hive boxes over the last four months.
The first incident was reported in May, when the suspects removed two pallets, containing 12 hives from a remote property in Lehigh Acres, according to Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers coordinator.
She said the hives had a value of approximately $4,500.
In late June, deputies received another report of 100 wooden bee boxes stolen from a Cape Coral property. She said that the victim noted the fence protecting the area where the hives were being kept had been cut, allowing the suspects access to remove the boxes.
On July 7, Wonderful Bees, a national company with hives in both Lee and Charlotte counties, reported that all of their boxes from a location in Alva had been taken.
In total, Routte said 192 beehives were removed from the site, valued at more than $41,000.
The most recent theft occurred two weeks ago when another Wonderful Bees location was targeted in South Lee County. During the theft, 180 double boxes of beehives were stolen, leaving a total loss of $42,000, Routte said.
In order to remove the beehive pallets, the suspects would have required heavy machinery to remove the boxes.
Detectives believe the same suspects are responsible for all four incidents.
Wonderful Bees, the victim in two of the four thefts, is offering a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for the thefts.
Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects responsible is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward.
Tips may also be made online: www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.
$10,000 reward offered for convictions in bee theft cases
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down thieves who have stolen more than $100,000 in bee hive boxes over the last four months.
The first incident was reported in May, when the suspects removed two pallets, containing 12 hives from a remote property in Lehigh Acres, according to Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers coordinator.
She said the hives had a value of approximately $4,500.
In late June, deputies received another report of 100 wooden bee boxes stolen from a Cape Coral property. She said that the victim noted the fence protecting the area where the hives were being kept had been cut, allowing the suspects access to remove the boxes.
On July 7, Wonderful Bees, a national company with hives in both Lee and Charlotte counties, reported that all of their boxes from a location in Alva had been taken.
In total, Routte said 192 beehives were removed from the site, valued at more than $41,000.
The most recent theft occurred two weeks ago when another Wonderful Bees location was targeted in South Lee County. During the theft, 180 double boxes of beehives were stolen, leaving a total loss of $42,000, Routte said.
In order to remove the beehive pallets, the suspects would have required heavy machinery to remove the boxes.
Detectives believe the same suspects are responsible for all four incidents.
Wonderful Bees, the victim in two of the four thefts, is offering a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for the thefts.
Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information on the identities and whereabouts of the suspects responsible is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward.
Tips may also be made online: www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.
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