Gustine, CA (February 11, 2026) — A total of 172 stolen beehives taken from an agricultural property in unincorporated Gustine have been recovered following a coordinated investigation involving the Merced County Sheriff’s Office and the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office.
According to authorities, deputies with the Merced County Sheriff’s Office took the initial theft report on February 6. The hives, described as critical for orchard pollination across the region, were reported missing from a rural agricultural site. Investigators, working through the California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force, developed information pointing to a possible location in Yolo County.
On February 10, deputies in Yolo County located the stolen bee boxes in a remote area of northeastern Yolo County and began surveillance. During the operation, investigators observed a suspect returning to the site and allegedly attempting to alter or conceal branded ownership markings on the boxes.
Authorities arrested Leonid Terzi, a Sacramento resident identified by law enforcement as 46 years old in Merced County’s statement and 47 years old in Yolo County’s release. He was booked into the Yolo County Jail on felony charges including grand theft and possession of stolen property. Officials said the investigation remains ongoing.
The recovered hives, valued in the high tens of thousands of dollars according to Yolo County authorities, are being returned to their rightful owner in Central California.
Agricultural officials note that bee theft is not a minor crime in the Central Valley. California produces roughly 80% of the world’s almonds, and nearly every commercial almond orchard depends on managed honeybee colonies for pollination during bloom season.
Merced County is home to tens of thousands of acres of almonds and other pollinator-dependent crops, particularly in and around Los Banos and Gustine. During bloom, growers often pay significant rental fees per hive to ensure adequate pollination. The loss of 172 hives during peak preparation for orchard season can disrupt crop yields and represent substantial financial damage to local producers.
Beekeeping equipment is typically branded or marked to identify ownership, a common deterrent against agricultural theft. Investigators stated that the suspect was allegedly observed attempting to modify those identifying markings.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and encourages anyone with information to contact Detective Thomas Griffin at (209) 385-7472 or email [email protected]. Yolo County officials are also seeking information regarding related apiary equipment that may have surfaced in their jurisdiction.
Authorities credited inter-agency cooperation for the swift recovery of the stolen hives and emphasized that rural agricultural theft remains a priority enforcement issue across the Central Valley.
