3 Held in Burglary at Mushroom Farm
Police arrested three Oxnard residents Thursday morning in the overnight theft of nearly $5,000 in computer and communications equipment from the Pictsweet mushroom farm’s business offices in Ventura.
Port Hueneme police stopped the three about 3:45 a.m., and noticed the equipment piled into the back seat of the car and in the trunk.
One of those arrested was mushroom farm security guard Karen Schweinhard, 22, who police say may have used her key to let the others into the offices. Police did not release information on the other two.
All three were booked on suspicion of burglary and possession of stolen property, officials said.
Laura Morrison, a controller at Pictsweet, said the company will no longer use the security firm that employed Schweinhard.
“We have taken measures to prevent this in the future,” she said.
Officials at the mushroom farm suggested the theft was related to ongoing labor unrest between management and workers at the farm who want to unionize.
Officials with the United Farm Workers were not available for comment.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
