Avocados as tempting as cash for thieves

Avocados are becoming so valuable both in New Zealand and Australia, they are once again the target of thieves.

One Australian dairy is reported to have placed a sign in its window saying ‘No cash or avocados kept on the premises overnight’, indicating just how tempting the fruit are to burglars.

Katikati Police Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh saysone Katikati orchardist recently reported about $10,000 worth of fruit taken during a two-week period. 

Every year there is a spate of thefts involving offenders stealing avocados from the local orchards; and apart from the loss income from the fruit, the industry is also concerned fruit stolen before the official harvest starts may not be safe to eat. 

Orchardists have to gain a clearance to pick fruit, which must reach independently verified dry matter levels to ensure it will ripen properly; and they must also provide evidence the fruit has been picked outside of any withholding period for sprays.

Steve says normally thefts are committed overnight and the orchardists find stripped trees in the morning. 

“Sometimes it is only a single tree and other times multiple trees, causing great distress to the growers who rely on their crops for income.

“Last season we had about 10 to 15 orchardists report thefts of fruit in our area. The area surrounding Te Puke also had a number of thefts.

“A number of offenders were apprehended on occasions and eventually we managed to stem the flow of thefts.”

Traditionally, apprehended thieves were charged with theft but in more recent times Police have been looking at charging offenders with burglary in line with the new national crime recording standards which could see harsher penalties imposed.

“It is highly recommended that all suspicious activity is reported to the Police. If people turn up on properties with seemingly poor excuses for being there, such as they are looking for a missing dog or they are looking for some random person, then let the Police know. 

“Ideally, take down the registration number of the vehicle which that person may have arrived in. Don’t be afraid to discreetly take a photograph of the person or their vehicle without making it too obvious what you are up to.

 “Most importantly, don’t put yourselves in danger by trying to apprehend these people for the sake of some fruit. It’s not worth getting hurt over,” says Steve.


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