Ventura County Sheriff's Office arrests 28 people after stealing farm equipment

OXNARD, Calif. (KABC) — There is a disturbing trend in Ventura County: farmers are being robbed.

This month alone, tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen agricultural equipment were seized. Some motorcycles were also found.

According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, there was a sharp increase in agricultural thefts in August.

Last weekend, 28 people were arrested in connection with these thefts. They were picked up in the unincorporated areas of Camarillo and Oxnard.

In addition to the stolen agricultural equipment, the suspects were also arrested for alleged possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

Detectives are investigating the increase in thefts.

Agriculture in Ventura County is a multi-billion dollar industry, and the thefts can be devastating for farmers considering the cost of a tractor can range from a few thousand to over $50,000.

Deputy Carlee Morton of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office says the agency is urging farmers to remove keys from tractors and vehicles, secure their equipment and install surveillance cameras.

Morton says the agency's investigative team is still receiving tips and gathering evidence. Investigators say those arrested have no connection to the ranches and farms involved.

According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, the 28 arrests are just the beginning. The agency continues to monitor agricultural thefts in the county, particularly in the unincorporated areas.