Plant Thefts Continue Despite Arrests

Last month’s arrest of two burglary suspects at Plant Land didn’t put a stop to the theft of plants from Valley nurseries.

“I think we got hit every day last week,” said Scheryl Becker, office manager for Johnstone Garden Supply, 16816 E. Sprague.

The biggest loss was Friday, when 40 flats of flowers and other plants, together valued at $1,200, were stolen.

“It almost looks like a job pull list for a landscaper,” Becker said of the stolen plants. “They pick and chose the ones with the nicest flowers that are about ready to bloom.”

Plant Land and the neighboring Northwest Seed & Pet store at Sprague and Sullivan also had minor break-ins recently.

Plant Land owner Billy Coyle thought the burglaries would stop after two people were arrested at his business on May 14.

A neighbor called the Sheriff’s Office that day after seeing two people cutting Plant Land’s fence. Deputies arrived in time to see plants being loaded into a pickup truck.

Less than a week after those arrests, a couple of chairs and a table were stolen from Plant Land. Since then, the businesses has continued to suffer losses.

“I expect that it’ll happen again. I’m just trying not to lose too much sleep over it,” Coyle said.

Sheriff’s detectives don’t have any suspects or vehicle descriptions in the recent nursery break-ins.

Anyone with information should call Crime Check at 456-2233.