LOCH LOMOND — Local law enforcement found a missing backhoe Wednesday, more than two months after Moore Family Winery said it was stolen.
Steve Moore, owner of the Kelseyville winery, said he first noticed the piece of equipment was gone the week after Thanksgiving.
Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) dispatch received a call at 12:17 p.m. Wednesday indicating the backhoe had been spotted in Loch Lomond in the area of Harrington Flat and Sulphur Creek roads, Sgt. Steve Brooks said.
Deputies responded and ultimately located the machine, which appeared to be hidden in brush on private property on Rockys Road, Brooks said.
Moore said he was “very excited” when he arrived at the site around 2 p.m., identified the piece of equipment and later drove it back to the winery.
He added that he had “quite a sentimental attachment” to the backhoe, which he bought nearly 30 years ago.
The piece of equipment had reportedly been spray-painted green before authorities found it.
“We kind of believe it was ready to be moved out of the county,” Moore said.
Moore thanked local law enforcement “for working so hard to get this machine back to me.”
The LCSO, California Highway Patrol and state Department of Fish and Game assisted in the recovery, Brooks said. The case remains under investigation.
