A woman was arrested Tuesday after a Fresno County sheriff’s deputy discovered stolen nectarines in an orchard between Kingsburg and Parlier, authorities said.

The incident happened around 2 a.m. when a deputy on patrol spotted a car leaving a nectarine orchard near the intersection of Zediker and Rose avenues, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Zulema Garcia Cruz, 40. Authorities said Garcia Cruz was arrested on outstanding warrants for drug possession and petty theft.

During a search of the orchard, the deputy found an unattended pickup truck with its bed filled with nectarines that had been picked from nearby trees, the sheriff’s office said. A crate of nectarines was also found in the trunk of Garcia Cruz’s car.

Authorities said Garcia Cruz was also found in possession of a methamphetamine pipe.

She was booked into the Fresno County Jail on the outstanding warrants and additional charges of grand theft of crops and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $65,000.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Got a Tip?

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org. Authorities referenced case No. 26-6431.

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