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As spring approaches, valley farmers are setting out "bee hives" in their orchards, but over the years those hives have been targeted by thieves. <br /><br />Recently, in Coalinga, 80 hives were stolen from a ranch, and, in Firebaugh, thieves took 48 hives.<br /><br />The value of those stolen hives adds up to more than 50,000 dollars. The Sheriff’s Office says most thieves strike at night when the bees are dormant. We spoke with one local beekeeper about the crimes.<br /><br />"The people that do it is… it’s somebody who knows this business and also who has a truck and forklift and is able to get in and get out of the yard wherever the bees are at," <span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">Maksim Chernyakov, the owner of Maksim’s Apiaries said.<br /><br /></span>Sheriffs deputies say beekeepers can protect their hives by marking them with a unique name and telephone number. and anyone who notices suspicious activities should contact Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP.<br /><br /></div>
Tags california's central valley news
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