Two boys facing felony charges for vandalizing honey farm, killing 500,000 bees

Two young boys are facing felony charges after destroying a honey farm, killing 500,000 bees and causing thousands of dollars in damage. (VIKTORCAP/ISTOCK/GETTY)

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS （Thursday, January 18, 2018, 3:44 PM）

A small Iowa town is buzzing after two young boys vandalized a honey farm causing $60,000 in damage.

The boys, age 12 and 13,are facing felony charges following the Dec. 28,2017,incident which left 500,000 bees dead,according to Sioux City Police Department.

The pair have been charged with criminal mischief, agricultural animal facilities offenses and burglary.

The three felonies carry a combined penalty of up to 10 years in prison and fines totaling $10,000. This case, however, is likely to be tried in juvenile court.

They're also facing one aggravated misdemeanor charge each of possession of burglary tools.

According to the Sioux City Journal, the two unidentified minors destroyed all 50 of Wild Hill Honey owners Justin and Tori Engelhardt's bee hives.

A destroyed beehive is seen at Wild Hill Honey in Sioux City on Dec. 28. Arrests have been made in connection with the Wild Hill Honey vandalism. （Justin Wan, Sioux City Journal ）

They feared the loss of their bees could put them out of business for good.

The suspects were not arrested until just under a month after the incident, which delighted Justin Engelhardt.

A GoFundMe page was started for the Engelhardt's business. The crowdfunding site raised more than $30,000 in a matter of days.

Engelhardt told the outlet he believes so many people were buzzing about he and his wife's story because the public has become increasingly aware of the plight of the honey bee.

"Bees are critical and people are conscious of the fact that bees are having a hard time right now and facing some real challenges," he told the publication.

It's unclear when the suspects will appear in court again.