To an Oakland Thief, an Unguarded Beehive Was Just Another Freebie

The keeper was preparing a honey-tasting event for neighborhood children. Instead, she had to explain the theft.

A beekeeper looks at beehives from his apiary above his garage in Washington on Aug. 7, 2019. Bendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

A beekeeper in the Oakland Hills area of California fell victim to the increasing crime rate in the region, as thieves made off with one of her bee colonies, including the queen.

The theft occurred around 10 a.m. on April 27, just minutes before Sue Donahue was set to host her usual honey-tasting event for children in the neighborhood. At the time, she had briefly returned indoors to fetch the honey after setting up a hive in front of her home.