Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Ag Task Force have several open cases involving the theft of chain link fencing.
In the last six weeks, detectives have received four such reports. Thus far, the metal has not turned up at any scrap yards, so it is likely being sold privately or being reused during the installation of other fencing projects. Below is a summary of the open cases.
1) On April 12th, 250 feet of chain link fencing and cross beam supports were cut and stolen. The material surrounded a citrus orchard in the area of S. Buttonwillow and E. Jefferson Ave. in Reedley. The total loss was estimated to be $7,000 - $10,000, which includes labor and materials.
2) Between April 25th and May 2nd, 1,050 feet of fencing and 84 metal posts were stolen. The victim found an additional 800 feet of fencing rolled up, which the suspects did not end up taking. The theft occurred at a vineyard near S. Chestnut and E. Mountain View in Fresno. The total loss was $16,000.
3) On May 8th, a theft of fencing occurred in the area of S. Buttonwillow and E. Sumner Ave. in Reedley. This location is two miles down the road from case number one listed above. It’s unknown exactly how much material was taken.
4) On either May 11th or May 12th, 350 feet worth of fencing was taken from the area of E. Annadale and S. Reed Ave. in Sanger. The total loss was $2,500.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages you to mark your fencing in a way that would make it easily identifiable in the event it is stolen and recovered. A good way to deter theft is to spray paint lines across the fence in order to make it less desirable for someone to try and reuse it.
If you are approached by someone trying to sell fencing materials, please contact your local law enforcement agency and report as much information about the seller as possible. If you have information on any of the specific thefts mentioned, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Ag Task Force at (559) 600-8150 or email
