Pavel Tveretinov
FRESNO – On April 28, the FCSD agricultural task force began an investigation into the theft of bee hives. Investigators went to an orchard near E. Central and S. Temperance Avenues.
There they discovered over one hundred hives that had been reported stolen from Madera County. They also encountered 51-year-old Pavel Tveretinov in a protective suit, tending to the bees.
Tveretinov was arrested for possession of stolen property. He posted his $10,000 bail and was released.
Buzz Beekeeping, from Springfield, Missouri, owned the stolen hives that were contracted out to almond growers in California to assist in the pollination of their crops.
Further investigation revealed stolen bee hives at two other locations. They have located 2,500 stolen hives so far, a $875,000 value. Investigators believe Tveretinov is responsible for all of these thefts over the past three years, where he in turn rented out the hives to farmers in other parts of California.
The FCSD reminds us that “suspects generally have knowledge of the industry and may have even worked as beekeepers in the past. Since there is obviously no way detectives can identify the actual bees, the thieves can use the stolen bees to supplement their inventory.”
They go on to say, “Most thefts occur at nighttime, when bees are dormant. Hives are typically moved on flat bed trailers, so it should be considered suspicious if someone is placing them in the bed of a truck. Anyone who notices these types of activities should report them immediately.”
