Man charged with Saint-Valre beehive thefts

Provincial police have arrested a 36-year-old man from the Laurentians in connection with 184 beehives that went missing last week from a locked enclosure in Saint-Valre, Que.

Marco Beausoleil, 36, appeared at the Victoriaville courthouse on Wednesdayand was charged with theft.

The hives, which contained about five million bees, were owned by Francis Labont, owner of Entreprises Francis Labont, who sold the honey to Miel Labont, a company owned byhis father Jean-Marc Labont.

• Hive heist hits Eastern Townships honey retailer

The Labont family said the hives went missing overnight between April 25 and 26.

The stolen hives were almost all rented by blueberry farmers to help pollinate their crops this summer. Jean-Marc Labonttold Radio-Canada that heestimated the loss at $200,000.

The Labont family is offering a reward of$5,000 to $10,000 for anyone who finds the hives.

• Quebec maple syrup heist set for Hollywood film
• Apple tree heist leaves Quebec orchard bare

Beausoleil was released after his court appearance. He is due back in court on June 27.