Thieves steal $3k in valves, stems from Exeter firm

EXETER — An Exeter company is out nearly $3,000 in metal valves and stems after thieves struck an orchard near Visalia.

Officials from Pinkham Farms called the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at 12:43 p.m. Tuesday to report a theft in an orchard south of Visalia Road.

Ranch manager Wes Blake told a deputy that sometime between 3 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Tuesday, an unknown person removed 35 2-inch Red Valves with brass stems and 133 3-inch Red Valves and Fresno Valves from three blocks of orchards in the area.

The loss was estimated at $2,852.50.

-- Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047, or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.