$3,500 in farm equipment reportedly stolen

More than $3,500 in diesel and farm equipment was stolen from an Orland dairy farm sometime during the last week, the Glenn County Sheriff's Office reported Wednesday.

John Bettencourt, 58, of the Greenwood Dairy in Orland reported the theft of two diesel fuel pumps, 35 disc blades and one hydraulic pump from their equipment yard, according to the sheriff's office.

The theft was reported early Tuesday morning, but the items were reportedly last seen Jan. 26, Lt. Richard Warren said.

Bettencourt estimated the value of the stolen equipment at $3,595, Warren said.

The items were reportedly removed from the dairy's unsecured equipment yard on Country Road 27, east of Old Highway 99W.

Investigators have no suspects at this time, Warren said.

Details are scant, Warren said, as detectives search for clues.

"It is possible, at least, that one person could have done this, but it would've taken them some time," Warren said. "They also would have needed a vehicle large enough to transport at least 600 pounds of equipment, minimum."

Warren also said the suspect or suspects had knowledge of the specialty equipment and "special tools" used to disassemble the pumps and machinery.

"There doesn't appear to be any property damage at all," Warren said. "Nothing was destroyed."

Warren acknowledged concern that this could be just the first such incident of farm equipment thefts this year.

"Economic recovery is always slower to come in (farm) communities," Warren said, "and if specialty equipment is left unattended, it can become a very easy crime of opportunity for the wrong people."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's Major Crimes Unit.

Contact Rob Parsons at 934-6800 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.