Freshly planted flowers dug up overnight outside Citrus Heights business

By Sara Beth Williams–
A suspect on a distinctive three-wheeled bike was caught on camera allegedly stealing freshly planted flowers in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 20, according to employees at Pastor’s Valero gas station in Citrus Heights.

The business posted photos on social media Thursday morning showing the theft reportedly taking place and said the video showed the suspect “help(ing) herself to all sorts of plants and load(ing) them up in the cart on her bike.”

“We pride ourselves in having a beautiful property that we meticulously maintain,” Pastor’s Valero employee Holly Woltzen told The Sentinel, adding that she had personally planted all the flowers in a stone fountain two days prior and received compliments from customers throughout the day.

Woltzen said the fountain has been empty for some time, and she was hesitant to plant anything because the store deals with “constant” theft and vandalism, but she wanted to create an environment that would bring beauty and “spread cheer” to customers. Woltzen said she spent over $300 on soil and flowers to turn the fountain into a planter.

“It’s discouraging. It’s like a kick in the gut,” Woltzen said, adding that she was fuming when she arrived at work to find all the plants had been dug up.

The fountain was once Woltzen’s grandmother’s and used to have three tiers. Woltzen explained that previously, several unknown individuals had broken the third tier off and allegedly recorded themselves while laughing as they pushed it over. Woltzen’s grandmother had first chosen the fountain when she opened the business.

The broken third tier rendered the water feature inoperable, and the fountain became a dirt planter without any plants until Woltzen decided to add flowers earlier in the week.

“It’s disheartening. It didn’t even take two days,” Woltzen said, adding that the business is not eager to try planting again anytime soon.

Woltzen said the store deals with theft and vandalism regularly and always files a report after every incident. Valero representatives attend meetings and speak out about their concerns.

“Our hearts are just discouraged. It’s already very difficult being in business in Citrus Heights and dealing with the constant vandalism and thefts,” Woltzen said.

Pastor’s Valero business owners plan to file a police report as soon as all camera footage has been examined.