A MAN has found himself in a sticky situation after being charged with stealing almost two years after numerous beehives were taken from a Cassowary Coast property.
Police had been busy bees tracking down the culprit and were buzzing with the result.
Detectives from the Mareeba Major and Organised Crime Squad (Rural) had conducted a protracted investigation into the theft, after the hives went missing from a property on Eubenangee Road some time between September 30, 2018 and October 6, 2018.
On May 20, they charged a 21-year-old Mourilyan man with stealing in relation to the case.
Detective Sergeant Mark Kerswell said that complaints in relation to thefts from rural properties were taken seriously and often involved long-term investigations.
"Protracted investigations can become difficult to investigate but if the community provides us with new information, we will continue to investigate," Det Sgt Kerswell said.
"We are always speaking to members of the community in relation to our investigations and sometimes the smallest piece of information can be the final piece in our jigsaw to solve a crime."
Det Sgt Kerswell urged members of the community to be vigilant and contact police if they were aware of people targeting rural properties in their communities.
"We ask the community to contact Crime Stoppers, Policelink or their nearest police station if they have information in relation to, not only, beehive thefts but people who are targeting rural properties in their community."
The man is expected to face the Innisfail Magistrates Court on July 27.