Florida residents 'violated' after coconuts stolen from trees by alleged 'theft ring'
Greg Harris
Featured Image Credit: felixmizioznikov/Getty Images
A mystery is unfolding in Florida and coconuts are at the centre.
Confused residents in Hollywood, Florida are reporting strange incidents in the neighbourhood that are simply driving them all (coco) nuts.
Locals have been using the neighbourhood-focused social media platform Nextdoor to report a man in an unmarked cherry picker truck sneakily stealing coconuts from palm trees without permission.
The whole fiasco has left some residents feeling uneasy. Sadiqa Glussman, a local who is speaking out about the mystery, told CBS that several of her coconut palms have reportedly been affected. “We feel disrespected and violated,” she told the outlet. “They are stealing from you.”
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One resident shared a picture on Nextdoor of the alleged coconut thief, with the caption: “Coconut thief going around taking every good coconut off every tree.”
Well, at least they seemingly have good taste in coconuts.
Police in Hollywood say they have yet to receive an official report of someone stealing coconuts, according to the outlet. However they are urging residents to come forward if they see it happening.
You may be wondering, why on Earth would someone steal a coconut? Although we’re not condoning theft, they offer a lot of nutritional value. Coconut water is low in calories and is packed with electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and sodium, making them fantastic sources for hydration.
The coconut meat, the white, edible fleshy part, is high in healthy fats, and has fibre and some protein.
Coconuts are considered a nutrient-dense food that can boost immunity, improve digestion, and support heart health.
Inside these brown, shaggy balls are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs),providing quick energy, and helping with weight management.
Coconut oil, milk and meat can be used in cooking, as well as cosmetic uses. Once you’re done drinking and scooping out the insides, lots of people may choose to use empty coconuts as utensils, bowls, or decorations.
Speaking of coconuts, the food brand Vita Coco made a bold move in response to Donald Trump recently.
The brand’s coconut water is very popular, and amid US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, Vita Coco has managed to ride the storm with poise.
Vita Coco sources all of its coconut water ingredients from tropical countries slapped with high tariffs by Trump, and 96% of its total revenues come from that coconut water.
a 32% uptick in its share price over the past 12 months.
“Brazil is really a nonissue for us,” said Vita Coco co-founder and executive chairman Michael Kirban, according to Forbes.
“We started working on reallocating our Brazil supply, which historically goes to the United States, to supply Europe and Canada, several weeks ago.”
Meanwhile, the European division’s coconut sources in the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Malaysia will be switched to the US.
“This is something we can pull the trigger on really quickly," continued Kirban.