Here’s what Led to the Koi Fish Theft

💰 1. High Value of Koi Fish

Koi can sell for $50 to $1,500 each, making them a tempting target for theft. With 85 koi stolen, the potential value was significant—even though the exact total was hard to determine.

🕒 2. The Theft Occurred at Night

The incident happened on November 21, when someone stole the koi from the pond outside the Oak House restaurant on Yucaipa Boulevard. Outdoor ponds are often accessible and unmonitored at night, which can make them vulnerable.

👤 3. Two People Were Involved

Surveillance video showed two individuals participating in the theft. Only one—David Smith—was arrested and charged. The second person has not been identified or arrested as of the article’s publication.

🚓 4. Arrest and Charges

Smith was arrested shortly after the theft. Initially charged with felony fish theft, the charge was reduced to misdemeanor grand theft because authorities couldn’t confirm whether the stolen koi exceeded the $950 felony threshold.

🧍 5. Recovered Fish Found With a Homeless Man

Only five koi were recovered. They were found in the possession of a homeless man who said he received them from the thief. The fish were returned to the restaurant’s pond, though one later died.

🐠 6. Restaurant Had to Restock

The restaurant eventually restocked the pond using auction purchases and donations, showing how disruptive the theft was to their business and community presence

Most Lakes and Ponds are filled with Koi, different Species of Fish and other Wildlife

Lakes and ponds often look peaceful on the surface, but beneath that calm water is an entire community of life interacting in ways that keep the ecosystem balanced.

🌿 What Actually Lives in Lakes and Ponds

Most natural lakes and ponds contain:

• Native fish species like bass, perches, trout, walleyes, carps and koi
• Amphibians such as frogs, toads, and tortoises
• Invertebrates like dragonfly larvae, snails, prawns, and water beetles
• Aquatic plants that provide oxygen and shelter
• Birds and mammals that rely on the water for food or habitat

🐟 What About Koi?

Koi are not naturally found in most lakes and ponds. They’re ornamental carp typically kept in:

• Backyard water gardens
• Decorative ponds
• Controlled environments where water quality is monitored

If koi are released into natural lakes or ponds, they can actually become invasive, stirring up sediment, uprooting plants, and disrupting native species.

🌎 The Big Picture

Every pond or lake is its own little world. Some are carefully curated (like garden ponds with koi), while natural ones are shaped by climate, geography, and the species that evolved there.