Cherry growers in San Joaquin County are dealing with the aftermath of two thefts in two days that caused around $2,000 in losses and left long-term damage to orchard trees.
According to KCRA 3 and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Morada Produce was hit first, with more than $2,000 worth of cherries stolen and significant crop damage reported. “Unfortunately, because of the way the thieves stole the cherries by damaging the trees and breaking the branches, cherries cannot grow on those damaged branches for the next three years,” KCRA reported.
The second theft occurred the next morning at an orchard on East Comstock Road in Linden, where more than $500 worth of cherries were taken. That suspect was also arrested…