Grand theft avocado: 3 arrested in $300,000 heist

3 accused of $300,000 avacado theft

OXNARD, Calif. -- Police are calling it grand theft avocado. Three men were arrested in the theft of up to $300,000 worth of avocados, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said. Joseph Valenzuela, 38; Carlos Chavez, 28; and Rahim Leblanc, 30; were charged with grand theft of fruit. Detectives received a tip they were conducting unauthorized cash sales of avocados from a facility in Oxnard owned by the Mission Produce company. The company estimated the avocado loss at about $300,000.

-- Associated Press