VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com)- Carlos Reynosa, 56, a resident of Spring Valley Lake was arrested for operating an indoor marijuana grow and theft of utilities.
Deputy Page, assigned to the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station, developed information regarding illegal narcotic activity at 12546 Elmcroft Lane in Spring Valley Lake. He began an investigation looking into a possible indoor marijuana cultivation at the location. After making contact with the resident, he contacted the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division – Marijuana Eradication Team (MET) with the information.
On Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at 5:40 p.m. MET investigators responded to the location and assumed the investigation.
MET investigators served a search warrant at the residence and found an indoor marijuana grow inside the house. Over 150 marijuana plants, in various stages of growth, and over 9 pounds of processed marijuana were found inside the residence. The grow operation used advanced lighting systems, air conditioning systems, fans, exhaust blowers and an air-filtering system to control the climate inside the house as well as the odor coming from the residence. The suspect, Carlos Reynosa, was not home initially when the deputy went to the location but arrived home shortly afterward. He was arrested without incident.
Reynosa was stealing electricity at the location to facilitate the growing operation. Loss Prevention Investigators from Southern California Edison (SCE) assisted in the electrical theft investigation. Suspects who grow marijuana will commonly bypass the electrical meter installed by the electrical company.This is done because of the high amount of electricity needed to support the marijuana growing equipment. The high usage may alert the utility company or law enforcement to the marijuana grow. Additionally, the suspects do not get charged for the high amount of electricity being used.
The extreme measures are taken to avoid being caughtrisks not only the lives of the suspects but also endangers the public living nearby the residence. An electrical short caused by the modified wiring most likely would have resulted in an explosion or fire in the residential community causing possible injuries to bystanders near the residence. SCE will complete their investigation and send the report to the sheriff’s department. Meanwhile, the electrical power to the residence will be disconnected so that the faulty wiring and electrical bypass can be removed and repaired. The theft of electricity at this location is estimated to be more than several thousand dollars. The residence will be sent to the Land Use Services – Code Enforcement Division so a case can be opened to ensure the residence is safe to occupy.
“Illegal indoor marijuana grows will not become common in our neighborhoods, said Sheriff John McMahon. “The Marijuana Eradication Team will continue to take down these grow houses, put the operators in jail and seek restitution for the massive theft of utilities.”
The suspect, Carlos Reynosa, was arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center for Cultivation of Marijuana and Theft of Utilities. His bail is set at $25,000.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation or is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909)890-4840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
(San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Press Release)
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