Three men arrested for grand theft of avocados
Three men in California have been arrested on suspicion of grand theft of avocados, according to the Telegraph. The accusation came after $300,000 worth of avocados disappeared.
Carlos Chavez, 28, Rahim Leblanc, 30 and Joseph Valenzuela, 38 were arrested on Wednesday. “We take these kinds of thefts seriously,” said Sgt John Franchi of the Ventura county sheriff’s department. “It’s a big product here and in California.”
In recent months, avocado prices have increased, due to a diminished avocado crop in California and Mexico and increased demand worldwide. The average sales price for an avocado was 89 cents in January, according to the Hass Avocado Board. By March 19, it had risen to $1.25. Avocados at Whole Foods in New York now retail for $2.50 each.
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Police suspect the men were stealing and selling avocados to unaware customers for several months. In late May, sheriff’s detectives launched an investigation into allegations the men were receiving money for the avocados they stole, according to Franchi. “They were looking to make money,” he said.
The three men had been working at Mission Produce in Oxnard, 60 miles from Los Angeles. Mission Produce is one of the world’s largest avocado distributors, with departments in China, Netherland, Canada and the US. The company’s president, Steve Barnard, said the men were selling a box of avocados for $20 to $30, below the market value of $50.
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