Thieving trespassers get what they deserve after getting caught flagrantly stealing from a Las Vegas woman's fruit trees: ‘We have to defend our property'

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jul 2, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

Mmmm fruit. 

When it's peak summer and the heat waves seem relentless, a chilly bowl of fresh fruit is unbeatable. Refreshing, delicious, and a little bit nostalgic, a bowl of fruit is the perfect summer snack—especially when your fruits are plucked straight from the tree. 

However, growing a fruit tree is no simple task, especially in the unforgiving desert landscape of Las Vegas. With summer temperatures regularly skyrocketing over 100 degrees, that beloved fresh fruit bowl seems like a pipe dream that will never leave the confines of your imagination. But the family in this next story managed to grow a tree so marvelous, so healthy, and so glorious that it produced some of the sweetest fruits on the street. And that did not go unnoticed by the entitled neighbors down the street who felt that a little low-hanging fruit wouldn't be missed. They were wrong. 

After getting caught red-handed flagrantly stealing this homeowner's fruit, this fruit thief got what they deserved in the form of karmic revenge. 

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    via Kzenon

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "AITA For calling the cops on new neighbors, for stealing from our fruit trees?"

    Many of you know me for the stories about my Karen Neighbor...BUT things have gotten interesting with a new set of neighbors who recently moved to the area.
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • For some who aren't familiar with me, here's some context. I (27f) live in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in Vegas. We are in an area where the city allows us to grow fruit trees and other plants for
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • food in our front yard, as long as we have the proper irrigation and follow the guidelines for not having stuff to close to the sidewalk and whatnot. And before anyone asks, NO WE DO NOT HAVE AN HOA.
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • Anyways, we recently noticed one of our trees, was looking a little more bare each day. As many of you know thanks to the Karen across the street we have cameras, so we
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • decided to look back at the footage and see what was happening. Turns out the newer neighbors next to the Karen, have been walking across the street and stealing from our trees and other plants.
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • We were surprised but not sure what to do, and honestly idk if metro would even do anything other than trespass them from our property.
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • However, this past week when myself, my kids, and FIL (father-in- law) were out front watering in the evening and pruning things we had another issue with these neighbors.
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • The man and his wife/girlfriend were pulling out of their driveway and decided to make a little pit stop IN OUR DANG YARD!!! We stood there in shock, and asked them what the
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • heck they were doing. The man just glared us down and ignored us, and started yanking full on branches off of one of our fruit trees!! And me being me, I ran inside to get my hubby because I didn't know what this dude was gonna do next.
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • Well, when hubby came out they peeled off and weren't seen again for a while. We have all the proof we need, but honestly was it worth the trouble to call the cops on these people?
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • I thought it was so I did. They came out reviewed the footage, took copies, and told us to immediately call them again the next time. They also recommended us getting MORE
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • no trespassing signs since the obvious one on the fence didn't work. Apparently this can eventually be charged as a petty theft crime and multiple offenses of trespassing where signs are posted.
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • My husband doesn't think I should've gone that far, but I reminded him of our years long battle with the Karen and told him we have to defend our property.
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • SO with that being said, I know how I feel about my response to this situation. But I wanna know what you guys think. AITA for calling the cops on my new neighbors after they stole from our trees? And should we be worried about the man retaliating? Let me know what you guys think.
    via Mama_Sunshine702
  • cl3ggfam⚫ ΝΤΑ ΝΤΑ ΝΤΑ I can't say it enough times. Neighbor seems bat-crop crazy though
    via cl3ggfam
  • Monalot-a NTA You did the right thing. That is stealing. You're going to have worse problems if you don't nip it in the bud! (Pun intended ☺) Right now it's fruit. Next it could be your car or worse, breaking into your house. Glad you have cameras! Make sure to get signs in both English and Spanish.
    via Monalot-a
  • Convenient_Disaster_ . NTA! You were absolutely correct in what you said to your husband OP. You might wanna see if another neighbor you're friendly with (or even a friend) can discretely speak to this new neighbor to see what's going on.
    via Convenient_Disaster_
  • It's very possible that your Karen neighbor has told him something about you (like making up stories about you, or claiming you said "x,y,z" about him) and that's why this guy has targeted you guys out of the blue.
    via Convenient_Disaster_
  • Not only can a person be charged with theft, but you can claim property damage if they've damaged the branches on the trees. Fruit trees can be expensive to replace. You can nail them on the
    via Convenient_Disaster_
  • replacements value of a mature tree. (Ex. A lemon tree that's considered mature and at least 6ft tall can cost 600-1000+ if you were to buy a full size to be delivered.) Take pictures of your trees now and take pics of
    via Convenient_Disaster_
  • the fruits they're producing. That way you have updated pics if needed. You can also contact local nurseries to see if they can give you quotes on replacement trees. (Or google some business that sell fully grown trees to deliver.)
    via Convenient_Disaster_
  • Also have the police serve the new neighbors with a trespassing citation. All that is, is a citation issued to them saying they've been officially notified that they cannot be on property X, for any reason whatsoever. (They can't even come
    via Convenient_Disaster_
  • knock on the door when you've been given a no trespassing citation in Nevada.) That way if they decide to come onto your property again in the future for any reason and you catch it in person or catch it on camera they can be arrested for trespassing.
    via Convenient_Disaster_
  • It's very easy to have done too. Call the non emergency police dispatch number and ask them to send an officer out. Good Luck OP!
    via Convenient_Disaster_
  • LadyOfLorien7 ⚫ NTA. The cops are right; it's a crime. Sounds like your husband has a bit of Karen Fatigue from dealing with the last one- If I were you, I would be tempted to say, "Don't worry dear, I'll handle it.", and do all the police contact etc myself.
    via LadyOfLorien7

Tags

thieves stolen stealing house homeowner caught in the act new homeowners fruit trees property fruit thief entitled people
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