During a lengthy investigation, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigation Unit detectives acquired video and photographs of a possible suspect in numerous thefts of bee hives. A vehicle was identified and connected to a residence in Taft.
On September 9, 2019 at about 2:40 p.m., at the residence on the 500 block of Philippine St., detectives located and recovered stolen property from the theft of the hives.
36-year-old Jose Martinez was arrested for Penal code 182 - Conspiracy, Penal Code 487- Grand Theft and Penal Code 496- Possession of Stolen Property.
