FRESNO (KMJ) — A suspect in a massive beehive theft discovered in Fresno County is yet to enter a plea.
Vitaliy Yeroshenko is described by Fresno County Sheriff’s Office as a “business partner” in the alleged crime, but proceedings Wednesday morning were delayed again due to what the defense attorney describes as a failure to pass the case on.
“Somehow the case didn’t get referred to the probation department for the investigative report regarding his suitability for release, or lowering of bail,” reveals James Hazen.
“We just set it to a new date….he will remain in custody until that date.”
This is the second time proceedings have been postponed, following the previous hearing on July 10th delayed due to no Russian interpreter being present for the suspect (click here to read more). The defense’s investigator, Florin Ciurce, was sworn in instead to act as a translator.
The original allegation from Fresno County District Attorney’s Office states that both Fresno and Madera County Sheriff’s Ag Task Force discovered Pavel Mihauloviz Tveretinov tending to more than 100 stolen beehives in an orchard near Central and Temperance Avenues in Fresno County.
That led investigators to finding more than 1,200 stolen beehives taken from different keepers. It’s alleged that Vitaliy Yeroshenko was a part of that operation (click here to read more). The 48 year old from Antelope is currently in custody and his bail has been set at $267,750.
The continued arraignment is now scheduled to take place July 27th.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
