A second suspect has been arrested in the theft of more than 180 hives and 5 million bees in St-Valere, near Victoriaville, in late April.
According to the Sûreté du Québec, the 43-year-old suspect from Mandeville, Lanaudière, surrendered to police Friday around 5:30 p.m. in Joliette. He will appear Monday in the Victoriaville courthouse.
On Thursday, his brother, 36, appeared at the same courthouse. He was arrested by the SQ on Wednesday in Mandeville.
The bees of the family business Miel Labonté, however, have not been found, said the SQ, and the investigation continues.
The value of the hives — and their occupants — is estimated at around $200,000, the president of Miel Labonté, Jean-Marc Labonté, said. They were stolen from their owner between April 24 and 26.
The hives are individually constructed and each one bears the inscription “Miel Labonté,” the SQ said, and is asking for the public’s help to track down the hives.
