Grape Heist: Reedley Duo Arrested for Stealing 480 Pounds of Premium Red Grapes
Staff Editor Two Reedley Residents Arrested for Grape Theft in Tulare County
Two individuals from Reedley were apprehended on Tuesday for allegedly stealing 480 pounds of Tinco variety red grapes from a vineyard in Tulare County, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident unfolded around 8 a.m. when AG Detectives were alerted to a traffic stop involving a Ford Explorer SUV at Avenue 384 and Road 56 in Kingsburg. The vehicle’s occupants were identified as Juan Benjamin Ventura, 47, and Dionicio Sandoval, 57, both residents of Reedley. Deputies observed several hundred pounds of unpackaged grapes in the rear of the SUV.
Further investigation by AG Detectives revealed that the grapes had been stolen from a field located at Ave 400 and Rd 84 in Tulare County. The grapes had reportedly been cut and stored in the field the night before, with Ventura and Sandoval returning the following day to retrieve them.
The stolen produce was identified as Tinco variety red grapes, weighing approximately 480 pounds and valued at $700. This amount qualifies as a felony theft under California law.
As a result of their alleged actions, Ventura and Sandoval were booked on charges of Grand Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, Conspiracy, and providing false names to deputies. Due to premature harvest and improper packaging, the grapes had to be destroyed.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by agricultural communities in protecting their crops from theft and the potential legal consequences for those involved in such activities.
