Austin Wade Alesi of Calimesa was arrested for grand theft 
DATE/TIME: Between January 12, 2021 and January 28, 2021
INCIDENT: PC 487 Grand Theft
LOCATION: Mentone Citrus Orchards
SUSPECT(S): Austin Wade Alesi, 29 year old male, resident of Calimesa
VICTIM(S): Jacinto Farms and Buoye Farm
SUMMARY: On January 12, 2021, an unknown male later identified as Austin Wade Alesi was located on the victim's property in Mentone loading smudge pots into the bed of his pick-up truck. Employees at the location attempted to keep Alesi at the property, but Alesi fled the location and successfully stole approximately one-hundred smudge pots. On January 24th, Alesi’s truck was seen leaving the property with an additional one-hundred stolen smudge pots.
On January 28th, Alesi was seen loading smudge pots into his truck at a second orchard in Mentone. He fled the location in his truck stealing numerous smudge pots. Alesi was followed by a witness and instructed to return the stolen smudge pots. Through additional investigation, Alesi was positively identified by several witnesses as the suspect in these thefts. Alesi is on active parole and a warrant for his arrest was obtained for Grand Theft reference this case.
On February 10th, officers from the University of California Riverside (UCR) Police Department identified Alesi as a suspect in the recent theft of smudge pots in their area. UCR Police arrested Alesi at his residence in Calimesa. A trailer filled with suspected stolen smudge pots was recovered at his residence. Alesi was booked at Robert Presley Detention Center on the UCR Police Department case and his San Bernardino County warrant for Grand Theft.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Yucaipa Sheriff's Station at (909) 918-2305. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or www.wetip.com
Refer: Deputy M. Miller
Station: Yucaipa Station
Phone No. (909)918-2305
Case No. 042100055
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Yucaipa Police Department
34144 Yucaipa Blvd
Yucaipa, CA 92399
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1