Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Unit arrest one for citrus theft: 

February 7, 2025 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that over the last few months, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office has seen a rise in citrus thefts across the county. In January, Kern County Rural Crime Detectives obtained evidence that a black, older model Chevrolet pickup was possibly involved in several of the thefts.

On February 6, 2025, at approximately 12:30 P.M. (1230 hours), Rural Crime Detectives were alerted to a black, older model Chevrolet pickup was in a citrus grove near General Beale Road and Russell Street. With assistance from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Lamont Substation Deputies, the vehicle was stopped near Buena Vista Boulevard and South Edison Road for expired registration and having another false plate attached. During the investigation, it was revealed the bed of the pickup was filled with oranges. The driver of the pickup, identified as ALFREDO SALVADOR ACOSTA (58) from Lamont, was ultimately arrested.

ACOSTA was booked at the Kern County Jail for violation of Penal Code 487(B)(1)- Grand Theft of fruit, and Penal Code 666.1- Two or more convictions of prior thefts. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.

Source & photo: Kern County Sheriff’s Office