SUMTER COUNTY, GA -
South Georgia pecan growers say they are taking a tough stance against thieves stealing their crops.
The Sumter County Sheriff says he has already arrested pecan thieves this year and will continue to charge them when they're caught.
Its pecan harvest time and the nuts are gold growing on trees. They are selling for about two dollars a pound this year the Sumter County Sheriff says his deputies are already busy with complaints of thieves stealing pecans.
Sumter County pecan grower Mike Horne says in past years when they caught thieves taking their pecans; they would just take the nuts and tell the thieves to leave. But last year growers decided to get tough.
"We said we're going to call the law, and they'd take them and put them in jail. That word got around and pretty soon it wasn't as bad. But we still have the problem," said Mike Horne, Horne Farms Owner.
Sumter County Sheriff Pete Smith said his office received three calls about pecan thieves just last night.
"We're getting a lot of calls about it. People are genuinely concerned about people stealing pecans. And it is stealing," said Sheriff Pete Smith, Sumter County Sheriff's Office.
Even on the side of the road in the ditches. It is against Georgia law to take pecans, either off the tree or anywhere on the ground until January First.
"They spend a lot of money on chemicals, fertilizer, water, and got to do a lot of spraying. They got a lot of money invested in their crops," said Smith.
Horne said because a lot of money is at stake, he and many growers are putting up signs and increasing security around their orchards.
"We've put fences up and we've got surveillance. I've heard of others who have cameras out in their orchards and we're doing similar things," said Horne.
Horne warns that some growers are so tired of thieves stealing their crops; they are hiring security guards to ride the orchards, so thieves could be confronted.
"There's a lot of that going on. People need to be aware that it's dangerous business and serious business," said Horne.
Sheriff Smith said all thieves caught stealing pecans will be charged with theft.
Horne said some folks get more desperate for money as the Christmas Holidays approach, and they see the theft of pecans increase. But they say taking their pecans is stealing, just like taking anyone else's property.
The fine for theft of pecans can be up to $500.
Copyright 2012 WALB. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
