(WWJ/AP) - Authorities say a "well-organized machine" of thieves appears to be behind the theft of tons of apples and pumpkins from orchards and farms in Michigan and Indiana.
An estimated 7,000 pounds of apples were discovered missing earlier this month from Spicer Orchards in Fenton. During the same week, 1,000 pumpkins were pilfered from McCallum's Orchard in Jeddo, in the Thumb region. And another 50,000 apples were reportedly stolen from Williams Orchard in LaPorte County, Indiana, just south of the state line.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell told the Detroit Free Press that the heists were "a major league operation." He said a "team of pickers" is involved, though investigators don't have any suspects at this time.
In the theft at Spicers, tire tracks were left behind in the grass and two or three vehicles were thought to be involved. The theft at McCallum's happened in the middle of the night, and someone backed their truck up to the farm.
Both orchards say they plan to install security systems to deter future thefts.
