Pictured are some of the items recovered as evidence during the operation. Authorities do not suggest any wrongdoing by the brands, their employees, distributors or retailers.
Authorities in a multi-agency case have arrested at least four people suspected of stealing agricultural chemicals in Madera County.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes detectives on June 4 successfully completed “Operation Round Up,” a coordinated enforcement operation targeting suspects involved in a series of ag chemical burglaries in Madera County.
As part of the operation, investigators served three search warrants and two arrest warrants as locations in Mendota, Firebaugh and the Riverdale area.
As a result of the operation, investigators recovered approximately $150,000 worth of stolen agricultural chemicals along with a firearm and a flare gun, MCSO said.
Arrested and booked into the Madera County Jail were David Carlos Hernandez, 44, Mayra Rodriguez Aranda, 35, and Alfredo
Ventura, 31.
During the service of a warrant in Mendota, officials said Roberto Ventura, 30, fled from his residence, jumped a fence and unlawfully entered a nearby residence in an attempt to evade law enforcement.
Alfredo Ventura is shown being taken into custody by MCSO on June 4.
MCSO said Ventura was quickly apprehended and taken into custody without further incident. He was booked into the Fresno County Jail.
Fresno County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Botti said Roberto Ventura was taken into ICE custody as part of the transfer process on June 4. Cervantes Ventura is a citizen of Mexico with qualifying prior criminal convictions, according to officials.
MCSO said it remains committed to protecting the agricultural community and holding those responsible for agricultural crimes accountable.
“Agricultural thefts have a significant impact on local farmers and businesses,” according to an MCSO statement. “Partnerships between regional law enforcement agencies are critical to the successful investigation and prosecution of these offenses.”
Sheriff Tyson Pogue thanked the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, Firebaugh Police Department, Mendota Police Department, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office for their partnership and assistance in this operation.
Pictured are some of the items recovered as evidence during the operation.
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