$10,000 in high-priced plants pilfered from Vashon nursery
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VASHON, Wash. -- Sheriff's deputies are investigating the theft of about $10,000 worth of high-priced plants and soil from a Vashon Island nursery.
An employee discovered the items missing Saturday morning, a sheriff's department spokeswoman said. The employee also noticed that several planks of an outer fence had been pulled off and that an inner wire fence had been cut.
"It's almost as if they have a shopping list and they're taking 'three of these' and 'three of these' and 'three of these' and have it all planned out," said Lance Neifert, the nursery manager. "They went after my higher-end stuff. Someone probably came in beforehand and checked out my stuff."
This is the sixth time the nursery has been hit in the past eight months, said Kathy Wheaton, who has owned the nursery for decades. This time it appears the thieves drove into an adjacent funeral home parking lot and broke into the nursery through the fence, stealing a cluster of specialty Japanese maple trees, which retail for about $100 each, in addition to large white Himalayan birch trees, five-gallon hydrangea plants, and a rare type of soil.
Because of the high-end, specialty nature of what was taken, investigators believe the thieves knew what to look for, and are likely island landscapers themselves.
"Somebody would've had to know what that soil was specifically for and then know how to plant these plants," said Sgt. Cindi West with the King County Sheriff's Office. "It's not something you could go buy at your local lumber store. I would bet those plants and that soil are still on the island somewhere and that it's somebody that knows quite a bit about landscaping."
While detectives try to crack the case, customers have been donating money to the nursery to help pay for a new fence, Neifert said. The shop is also planning to install infrared cameras.
"People still feel that Vashon's a real safe place. It has that appearance, but it's got its problems just like anywhere else," he said. "It's not a good feeling. Anytime you get broken into and get something stolen, it's not good. You feel violated."
An employee discovered the items missing Saturday morning, a sheriff's department spokeswoman said. The employee also noticed that several planks of an outer fence had been pulled off and that an inner wire fence had been cut.
"It's almost as if they have a shopping list and they're taking 'three of these' and 'three of these' and 'three of these' and have it all planned out," said Lance Neifert, the nursery manager. "They went after my higher-end stuff. Someone probably came in beforehand and checked out my stuff."
This is the sixth time the nursery has been hit in the past eight months, said Kathy Wheaton, who has owned the nursery for decades. This time it appears the thieves drove into an adjacent funeral home parking lot and broke into the nursery through the fence, stealing a cluster of specialty Japanese maple trees, which retail for about $100 each, in addition to large white Himalayan birch trees, five-gallon hydrangea plants, and a rare type of soil.
Because of the high-end, specialty nature of what was taken, investigators believe the thieves knew what to look for, and are likely island landscapers themselves.
"Somebody would've had to know what that soil was specifically for and then know how to plant these plants," said Sgt. Cindi West with the King County Sheriff's Office. "It's not something you could go buy at your local lumber store. I would bet those plants and that soil are still on the island somewhere and that it's somebody that knows quite a bit about landscaping."
While detectives try to crack the case, customers have been donating money to the nursery to help pay for a new fence, Neifert said. The shop is also planning to install infrared cameras.
"People still feel that Vashon's a real safe place. It has that appearance, but it's got its problems just like anywhere else," he said. "It's not a good feeling. Anytime you get broken into and get something stolen, it's not good. You feel violated."
so sad for kathy, she is a real nice person. I know where i will be going to get some spring color for my garden!
6 times in 8 months?!?! Â And now you're thinking about infrared cameras?! Â Come one already, there is only so much stupidity one can handle... Â Didn't you figure cameras and security systems would be a good idea after the 2nd break in? Â 3rd break in? 4th brake in? 5th break in? Â What makes 6 so magical?
@John Eugene Come one already?
Lots of people know about plants and soil. It seems unfair to rush to blame the landscape companies--sheez. Also, it does not seem like a good idea to steal stuff on an ISLAND and then plant it on the same ISLAND---and, especially if you are a landscape company on the ISLAND. Geez. This story surprises me.
Don't care. why are plants so expensive, and why is this the top story. Who cares, no relevance to life. It was an inside job, insurance hit.
@yourbuddy OK Sherlock!
Cameras on site? Sounds like a worthwhile investment.
@cohenkomo is that what we're calling pot now - "high priced plants"?
@ElisaHahnK5 @cohenkomo Just wait until they figure out how to do them in fashion colors!
@cohenkomo I saw that story. how very sad. :(
Well there looks to be about 15 Landscaping Co.'s on the island. This could get narrowed down rather quickly.
@sorbothegeek Landscapers are thieves? That is news to me!