These motorcycle cops aren’t out to catch a murderer or make a drug bust. They’re combing the lucrative San Diego avocado groves looking for the theft of "green gold."

"Avocados are in demand, especially when the price goes up. Teenagers, in particular, may try to steal the fruit and turn around and sell it to get beer money," said Deputy Richard Escamilla of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Motorcycle patrols were a new tool for the tiny town of Fallbrook when we first told you about this unusual agricultural crime three years ago. We checked back with the sheriff’s department to see whether the program is working. We found out that with community cooperation it is cutting down on thefts.

"We have such a huge area to patrol that we asked the public, particularly growers, to keep us informed of any suspicious activity or problems they observe," Escamilla said.

Rustlers pick the fruit at night and stash their bags under bushes along the road. Accomplices in trucks drive by and pick them up. Thieves turn around and try to sell the avocados at a reduced rate to packinghouses, restaurants and fruit stands.

Hopefully these patrols are lessening the chance of getting a hot avocado.

If you have comments or questions about this story, please E-mail Producer/Reporter Pat McConahay at pmcconah@kvie.org.