Amid critical bee shortage, bee thieves still thrive

In parts of the country, there is still a critical shortage of bees, but there is still no shortage of bee thieves.

When the almond orchards blossom in California, bee colonies are rented and brought in from across the country to pollinate the flowers.

Colony collapse disorder, the mysterious ailment that killed so many bees, is no longer as deadly but bees are still disappearing, falling victim to bee rustlers.

"Technically, I mean, it is similar to cattle rustling, "said Deputy Cody Williams, with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office. "Stolen cattle are easier to find. The bee hive boxes all look the same -- and you can't put a brand on a bee."

Williams added all a thief really has to do is put a colony in a new box "and they'll be gone forever."

The rustlers aren't after honey, they want money. Beekeepers charge up to $200 to rent a colony for a month.

Beekeeper Orin Johnson, who has 500 colonies, said he has had bees stolen the last three years in a row.

"I've seen cases where a bee keeper will unload his bees at night in the orchard and, lo and behold, a thief has come right in behind him, loaded them on another truck down the road and rented them to someone else," Johnson said.

Sheriff's deputies caught a man loading a truck with nine of Johnson's hives. Pedro Villafan-Magallon pled guilty to a charge of grand theft. Johnson is pleased he didn't get off with a misdemeanor.

"When you work hard to get your bees in shape and you go to check 'em, and they're gone, someone's stolen them, there's not too many words that describe your feelings," Johnson said.

Indeed, bee rustling is a crime that can sting.