Someone is stealing chain-link fencing from citrus orchards

Someone is stealing hundreds of feet of chain-link fencing worth thousands of dollars from rural properties around Reedley, Sanger and Fresno, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office said.

Four thefts have been reported at orchards since mid-April. In one case, more than 1,000 feet of fencing and 84 metal posts were taken, and another 800 feet of fencing was found nearby rolled up but left behind. That loss was estimated at $16,000.

The sheriff’s Office encourages property owners to mark their fences, such as spray-painting lines across the fence, to make it less desirable for someone to try to reuse it. The sheriff's office also asked anyone who's approached by someone trying to sell fencing to contact the department.

Anyone with information can contact the Sheriff’s Office Ag Task Force at 559-600-8150 or email agcrimes@fresnosheriff.org, or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.

This story was originally published May 25, 2017 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Someone is stealing chain-link fencing from citrus orchards."