Sacramento man charged with felonies for stealing beehive boxes

Authorities recovered the stolen hives, valued at tens of thousands of dollars, and returned them to the owner.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A 47-year-old Sacramento man named Leonid Terzi was arrested on multiple felony charges after stealing several beehive boxes valued at tens of thousands of dollars from a remote area of Yolo County. Agricultural crime investigators located the live hives, which had been altered in an effort to conceal identifying markings, and caught Terzi returning to the site to continue modifying the hives.

Why it matters

Beehive theft is a growing problem for commercial beekeepers, who can suffer significant financial losses when their hives are stolen. This case highlights the need for increased security measures and law enforcement efforts to combat agricultural crimes that target valuable livestock and equipment.

The details

On Tuesday, the Yolo County Sheriff's Office was alerted to several beehive boxes that had recently appeared in a remote area of northeastern Yolo County. Agricultural crime investigators located the live hives and found that they had been altered in an effort to conceal identifying markings. While monitoring the area, investigators saw Leonid Terzi, a 47-year-old Sacramento resident, return to the site and continue modifying the hives. Terzi was then arrested on multiple felony charges related to the theft.

  • On Tuesday, the Yolo County Sheriff's Office was alerted to the stolen beehive boxes.

The players

Leonid Terzi

A 47-year-old Sacramento resident who was arrested on multiple felony charges related to the theft of the beehive boxes.

Yolo County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that was alerted to the stolen beehive boxes and conducted the investigation that led to Terzi's arrest.

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What’s next

The investigation into this theft is ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with information about the incident or the discovery of related apiary equipment in Yolo County to contact law enforcement.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of beehive theft, which can have significant financial impacts on commercial beekeepers. It underscores the need for increased security measures and law enforcement efforts to combat agricultural crimes targeting valuable livestock and equipment.