Man suspected of stealing thousands of pounds of Franklin County hay
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sheriff's deputies arrested a Kennewick man accused of stealing 90-lb hay bales.
- Investigators linked him to at least two thefts and possibly 100 missing bales.
- Sheriff's office urges tips, increases patrols and vows prosecutions to deter theft.
A Kennewick man is suspected of stealing thousands of pounds of hay in rural Franklin County.
Iriankys Martinez-Yera was arrested at home about 9 a.m. Tuesday after investigators linked him with stealing and reselling 90-pound bales of hay, Yakima County sheriff’s Detective Andrew Gardner told the Tri-City Herald.
Martinez-Yera is being held in the Franklin County jail on suspicion of trafficking in stolen property.
Deputies were investigating Martinez-Yera after finding him parked next to a haystack in a remote area about 1 a.m. one day last week. He was arrested at the time for trespassing, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
Investigators believe Martinez-Yera is tied to at least two thefts and the possible disappearance of 100 hay bales. Bales of hay cost about $25.
Sheriff’s officials are trying to determine if he was working alone.
Hay theft is not uncommon in Franklin County, said Gardner and Undersheriff Monty Huber. The thieves target the smaller, 90-pound bales, because there is a market for people who have horses and a smaller number of other livestock.
“The smaller bales are a unique commodity,” Huber told the Herald. “Not a lot of the hay farmers are making them. It’s just easier for them to do the 1-ton (bales).”
The county has seen an increase in the amount of hay stolen in recent months, hurting local farmers and property owners, Huber said in a news release.
“The sheriff’s office is committed to holding those responsible accountable and to deterring future incidents through both proactive patrols and ongoing investigative efforts,” he said in the release.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 509-545-3501 or through the non-emergency dispatch number at 509-628-0333.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM.