Two Artesia residents have been bound over to district court on larceny charges following the attempted theft of pecans from a local orchard.
At around 4:30 p.m. Nov. 26, 2017, Eddy County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Forrest Lee Road in the Chase Farms pecan orchard. There, they were informed a pickup had been observed approximately one-and-a-half miles down Forrest Lee Road from Lake Road; only Chase Farms employees are allowed on that particularly roadway.
Deputies made contact with the occupants of the pickup, identified as Fernando Franco and Melissa O. Madrid, who admitted to having come from the orchard.
According to the criminal complaint, Madrid told deputies she had been contacted by Franco and asked to assist him in picking up pecans at the orchard.
Franco granted deputies permission to search under a tarp covering the back of the pickup. Beneath was a “massive quantity” of pecans.
Deputies proceeded to seize the vehicle and file for a search warrant.
Following execution of the warrant the following day, the pecans were subsequently transported to the Chase Farms processing plant, and warrants were issued for Franco and Madrid’s arrest on charges of larceny (over $500 but less than $2,500). Franco was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession, delivery or manufacture of drug paraphernalia.
Both subjects have been bound over to district court.
