GUSTINE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 46-year-old man has been arrested after over 150 beehives were reported stolen from an agricultural property in Gustine earlier this month.

The theft of the 172 beehives was reported on Feb. 6. Four days later, on Feb. 10, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office after they had found the stolen beehives within Yolo County and started surveillance.

During the operation, the suspect, identified by deputies as 46-year-old Leonid Terizi of Sacramento, returned to his property. Deputies said that he was observed attempting to alter and conceal the ownership information branded on the boxes.

The beehives were recovered and will be returned to their owner.

Terizi was arrested and is facing charges of grand theft and possession of stolen property. He was booked into the Yolo County Jail.