Spring Valley Lake Man Arrested for Marijuana Grow and Utility Theft

VICTORVILLE – A 56-year-old man was arrested after over 150 marijuana plants and nine pounds of processed marijuana were discovered at his Spring Valley Lake home. A Victor Valley station deputy was made aware of the possible illegal narcotic operation at a home located at 12546 Elmcroft Lane in the Spring Valley Lake community. The deputy began the investigation into a possible marijuana cultivation at the home. The deputy made contact with the resident and contacted the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division – Marijuana Eradication Team (MET) to provide the information he had.

MET investigators assumed the investigation at the home Wednesday evening and located an indoor grow with over 150 plants in various stages of growth inside the home. Also located was 9 pounds of processed marijuana. An advanced lighting and air conditioning system which included; fans, exhaust blowers and an air-filtering system were used to control the climate in the house and to stop the odor from coming from the house. Suspect Carlos Reynosa was not at the home when they arrived at the location, but arrived later and was arrested without incident.

Deputies determined that the electricity used to facilitate the operation was bypassing the electrical meter; therefore, causing the electricity to go uncharged. “Suspects who grow marijuana will commonly bypass the electrical meter installed by the electrical company,” said Sheriff’s officials in the news release. “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.”

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The practice of bypassing the meter can prove dangerous, not only to the location of the grow facility, but to those nearby. An electrical short caused by modified wiring could result in an explosion or fire in the residential community. Southern California Edison (SCE) will complete their portion of the investigation and send a report to the sheriff’s department. The theft at the location was estimated to be several thousand dollars. The power at the home was disconnected until it is repaired. A code enforcement case will be opened to determined if/when the home will be 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.”

Reynosa was arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center for Marijuana Cultivation and Utility theft. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

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.