A Richland Park farmer has voiced her frustration over ongoing thefts that have plagued her livelihood for years, resulting in losses amounting to thousands of dollars in stolen produce, animals, and other resources.
Speaking to Asberth News Network, she recounted a recent incident that occurred last Thursday night. According to the farmer, she noticed a suspicious individual exiting a rental vehicle parked close to her property, near where her animals are kept. Alarmed, she alerted her brother, who lives nearby and is a licensed firearm holder. “My brother fired warning shots, and the person immediately got back into the vehicle and fled the scene,” she said.
The farmer also revealed that weeks prior, her dogs were poisoned, which heightened her concerns. “I had a feeling something was up when my dogs were poisoned. This isn’t the first time I’ve been targeted,” she added.
She issued a strong warning to other farmers, urging them to be extra vigilant. “The thieves are rampant this season, and we all need to be on the lookout.” She also cautioned rental service providers to carefully vet their clients. “Rental companies need to be more cautious about who they rent their vehicles to. These criminals are using them to carry out their thefts,” she warned.
The farmer called on law enforcement to step up their efforts. “The police need to be more vigilant and respond to calls promptly. Farmers like me can’t keep dealing with this alone,” she said.
The incident underscores the growing challenges faced by rural farmers amid increasing thefts and the urgent need for enhanced security measures.