A man accused of helping steal 85 koi from a pond at a Yucaipa restaurant has pleaded guilty to grand theft.
The colorful fish can sell for $50 to $1,500 each.
When David Smith was arrested following the June 21 theft from the Oak House restaurant on Yucaipa Boulevard, only five were recovered, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
Smith was originally charged with felony theft of fish, but because it was difficult to determine whether the value met the $950 threshold for a felony, the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor grand theft count, said Jacquelyn Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.
Smith, 42, pleaded guilty on Nov. 21 and was sentenced to 300 days in jail. He was given credit for 150 days time served, which by state law was doubled to 300 days. Smith was released that day, according to Superior Court records.
A second person was seen with Smith in a restaurant surveillance video, but no additional arrests in the case had been announced.
Alex Campos, who helps his family operate the diner, said on Friday, Dec. 5, that the five fish that were recovered were found in the possession of a homeless man who had received them from the thief. They were returned to the pond, but one died, Campos said.
The restaurant, which serves American and Mexican food, has been able to restock the pond out front by purchasing koi at auction and through a donation, Campos said.
