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Monterey County detective outlines rise in equipment, fuel and copper thefts targeting farms
Summary
Detective Mark Lilga said the Monterey County Sheriff’s agricultural crimes unit investigates equipment, fuel and copper-wire thefts that can cost operations tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars; he urged operators to secure gear, install cameras and use trackers and said the office works with neighboring counties on cross-border thefts.
Detective Mark Lilga of the Monterey County Sheriff's Office described how the department's agricultural crimes unit is investigating a range of thefts that target the county’s multibillion-dollar agricultural sector.
"I'm part of the agricultural crime unit, which we investigate crimes that are involving anything agriculture-related as far as produce or livestock," Lilga said, describing a unit that handles equipment theft, fuel theft and a recent rash of copper-wire thefts.
Lilga said agricultural equipment can be extremely valuable: "A lot of the tractors that get stolen in the county, they can be anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 or more depending on what it is." He cited a recent investigation that recovered roughly $300,000 in stolen items, including a skid steer, a forklift and a portable bathroom trailer.
The detective said the thefts follow predictable patterns: large pieces of machinery are often hauled away on trailers to nearby locations or out of county. "They'll usually bring a trailer in and take it by trailer to another location, which could be anywhere in our county or even outside the county," Lilga said, and noted the Sheriff's Office coordinates with investigators in neighboring counties and the California crime-prevention task force when items move across jurisdictions.
For operators, Lilga offered practical prevention tips. When possible, keep equipment in an enclosed, fenced yard; install security cameras on buildings or cellular trail cameras; and place GPS trackers on easily moved items such as tractors and trailers. He also mentioned remote farm fuel tanks are a frequent target and that the department has made arrests in recent fuel-theft cases.
To report an incident or request an investigation, Lilga said operators should contact the Monterey County Sheriff's Office and ask to speak with the agricultural crimes detective.
The county's emphasis on agricultural protection comes as the sheriff's office assesses trends driven by commodity prices and ease of transport. Lilga stressed that ongoing coordination with growers — through Farm Bureau meetings and direct outreach — helps the unit identify theft patterns and target responses.
The Sheriff’s Office did not provide a formal crime tally during the briefing; Lilga’s descriptions reflect the unit’s recent cases and prevention priorities.
