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Avocado thief: No jail, but unusual sentence

Avocado thief ordered not to possess more than 10 avocados at a time. Theft of 1,000 pounds of avocados was not avocado thief's first heist.

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Denis Poroy/AP/File
Avocados arrive to be sorted at the Del Rey Avocado Company in Fallbrook, Calif., in this 2002 file photo. On Oct.l 20, 2011, a judge ordered an avocado thief not to possess more than 10 avocados at any one time – or face up to 180 days in jail.
  • By Associated Press

| VISTA, Calif.

An admitted avocado thief is reaping the fruits of his crime: He's banned from possessing more than 10 at a time.

Barron Stein of Fallbrook was sentenced Thursday for grand theft by a San Diego County judge.

Stein stole up to 1,000 pounds of avocados from a Bonsall grove in March. The haul was worth about $1,500.

The North County Times says the unemployed tow-truck driver claimed he was desperate to support his family. Security cameras caught him.

Authorities say he has a history of avocado thefts.

Stein wasn't given jail time but during his three years of probation he must avoid avocado groves without permission and can't possess more than 10 at a time. Violations will land him in jail for 180 days.

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