PATASKALA, Ohio — For more than 50 years, Lynd Fruit Farm in Licking County has welcomed families from across Ohio to pick their own apples. But this fall, a few bad actors are putting that tradition at risk.

The family-run farm says it's been struggling with theft — not of equipment or money, but apples. Co-owner Andy Lynd says some visitors are try to sneak away with hundreds of dollars' worth of fruit.

“They hide apples in the glove compartments, we found them in the wheel well where you put a spare tire, we found them in blankets — kids have their feet on top of blankets that are covering up literally hundreds dollars’ worth of apples,” Lynd said.

This past weekend alone, Lynd estimates $400 worth of apples were stolen.

The farm will now report all theft to the Licking County She

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